Seven-year delay in Sapra road construction leaves Sayal-3 locals struggling, risks rise during monsoon

Doti: Residents of Sayal Rural Municipality-3 in Doti have been facing prolonged hardship as the construction of the Sapra Road remains incomplete even after seven years. With the onset of the rainy season, the road has turned muddy, slippery, and partially collapsed, significantly increasing travel risks.

Locals report that the poor condition of the road has most severely affected school-going students, farmers, senior citizens, patients, and pregnant women. They say that routine travel now takes hours, ambulance services are difficult to operate, and transporting agricultural produce to markets has become a major challenge.

Local resident Ganesh Ojha stated that despite Sapra Road being the lifeline of the village, a lack of timely attention from concerned authorities has caused continued suffering. He warned that unless immediate repair and construction work are accelerated, a serious accident could occur at any time.

In response to public complaints, Sayal Rural Municipality Chairman Ganesh Ola said he would conduct on-site monitoring and coordinate with relevant authorities to address the issue. He added that necessary initiatives would be taken to advance construction work by prioritizing local demands.

Meanwhile, Sayal Rural Municipality Chairman Dharma Joshi said that although construction of the Sapra Road began in 2075 BS, the project has remained stalled for a long period after 17 contract agreements were canceled before his tenure. He noted that continuous efforts have been made during his term to prioritize the project, including filing a complaint with the District Police Office against non-performing contractors and ensuring legal measures to compel them to work.

According to Chairman Joshi, approximately Rs 10 million has been allocated for road construction in the current fiscal year in coordination with the rural municipality. He identified hard rocky terrain, difficult hilly geography, and contractor negligence as the primary causes of delay, and expressed commitment to completing the project within his tenure.

After years of waiting without completion, locals say they now seek results rather than assurances. They have strongly demanded that the concerned authorities immediately complete the Sapra Road to ensure safe mobility for students, timely medical access for patients, and the overall development of the village.