Surkhet, April 11 -- delayed upgrade of the Karnali Highway has continued to languish, with authorities scrapping 10 contracts on March 25 after years of stalled progress and repeated non-compliance by contractors.

Shankarmali Nirman Sewa secured a contract worth nearly Rs 50 million to upgrade a 20-kilometre stretch of the Karnali Highway from Bhulbhule to Talcha in Mugu in financial year (FY) 2017-18. The firm was responsible for road widening, constructing retaining walls, and gravelling. Despite three extensions, the company barely completed half the work. Following repeated reminders that went unheeded, the Road Division Office seized the company's performance security and terminated the contract on March 25.

Similarly, in FY 2018-...