The western section (Pokhara-Jamune) of the Pokhara-Muglin road project under the Prithvi Highway has seen only 32 per cent physical progress so far. The latest extension of the 101-day contract period is set to expire on December 5.

According to the project's engineer, Soujan Nepal, the process of extending the deadline has moved forward after the Chinese construction company requested a one-year extension. Work on the section passing through Kaski and Tanahun had started in Bhadra 2078 BS.

The three-year contract period has been extended twice after it ended last Bhadra. As the construction work is being carried out at a rapid pace recently the work may be completed within the next one year, said Engineer Nepal. So far, 22 km of the one-way road on the four-lane road has been blacktopped in the western section including Tharpu in Tanahun and Gagangauda in Kaski.

The project office has stated that nine out of 12 road bridges in the western section of 38.88 km are in the final stage of construction.

The expansion and upgrading work of the 81-kms Pokhara-Muglin road is being carried out with the grant assistance of the Asian Development Bank.