North-South Koshi Road contracts awarded to two contractors have been announced through intent-to-accept notices published by the North-South (Koshi) Road Project on 2083/06/22. The first award, contract NSKRP/337011184/083/84-01, covers road assets protection and restoration of damaged public utilities from Loving-Hill to Chyangkuti and goes to M/S Chandachha-Sumnima JV of Khandbari-04 at Rs 44,908,496.72. The second, contract NSKRP/337011184/083/84-02, covers an RCC bridge over Handak Khola at chainage 122+000 on the North-South Koshi Highway and goes to M/S Arun Barun Nirman Sewa Pvt Ltd of Khandbari-03 at Rs 79,570,510.50.
The North-South Koshi Road contracts awarded were procured by the project office in Khandbari, Sankhuwasabha district, Koshi Province. Following the evaluation of the bids received for the two packages, the office identified M/S Chandachha-Sumnima JV, based in Khandbari-04, and M/S Arun Barun Nirman Sewa Pvt Ltd, based in Khandbari-03, as the selected bidders for the road protection and bridge works respectively.
The North-South Koshi Highway is a strategic corridor in eastern Nepal served by the project office in Khandbari. Road asset protection works keep the highway’s drains, retaining structures, road furniture and other assets functional, while restoration of damaged public utilities repairs services affected by road works or natural events. The RCC bridge over Handak Khola at chainage 122+000, meaning 122 kilometres from the road’s reference start point, will provide a permanent reinforced concrete crossing over the river, replacing any temporary or vulnerable arrangement. In the fragile hill terrain of Sankhuwasabha, such bridges and protection works are essential for year-round connectivity.
North-South Koshi Road contracts awarded: what the notice means
An intent-to-accept notice is not the same as a signed contract. Under Section 27(2) of Nepal’s Public Procurement Act 2063, a public office that intends to accept a bid must first publish a notice announcing its intention, naming the selected bidder and the quoted amount. The law then gives the other participating bidders a window of 7 days from the publication date to file a complaint or protest if they believe the evaluation was flawed. Only after this complaint period closes without a valid objection may the office proceed to sign the contract with the selected bidder.
This mechanism is an important transparency safeguard in public procurement. It allows unsuccessful bidders to scrutinize the decision and raise concerns through a formal channel before public funds are committed. If a complaint is found valid, the office may have to re-evaluate the bids or restart the process. If no complaint is filed within the 7-day period, or if complaints are resolved in the office’s favour, the office can move ahead with signing the two contracts and the winners begin work.
Once the complaint window closes, M/S Chandachha-Sumnima JV will take up the Rs 44,908,496.72 road protection and utility restoration works between Loving-Hill and Chyangkuti, while M/S Arun Barun Nirman Sewa Pvt Ltd will build the Rs 79,570,510.50 RCC bridge over Handak Khola. Both awards strengthen the North-South Koshi Highway, a lifeline for the hill districts of eastern Nepal. This article is part of Eve Construction News coverage of contract awards in Nepal, including this North-South Koshi Road contracts awarded report.