Infrastructure projects play an important role in the economic prosperity of a country. Among many infrastructure projects, transport infrastructure plays a basic and paramount role in enhancing mobility of people and goods thereby increasing the efficiency of a nation’s advancement towards prosperity. Nepal’s geology comprises mostly hills and mountains with only a small covered plain land mass which significantly increases the value and the importance of better connectivity via road networks. Nepal has been striving to improve its land connectivity since the commencement of the first development plan in 1956 AD. However, due to a shortage of adequate funding, a lack of proper project administration and management, along with poor road quality has crippled Nepal’s goal of accelerated infrastructure development. The purpose of this study is to assess the cause and effect of delayed development effort initiatives in road transportation infrastructures categorized as ‘National Pride Projects’ by the Government of Nepal and present remedial measures to address pertinent delay factors for planned project execution. This research is based on primary data with a qualitative and quantitative design approach. In this research, the population is considered as the sample size, and transport stakeholders familiar with their involvement in road construction are considered as respondents. The questionnaire was prepared to take into consideration of major project stakeholders, viz. Client, Consultant, and Contractor. Out of distributed 114 nos. of questionnaires, 91 nos. of responses were received – each with unique input responses thus aiding in the preparation of this research’s findings. The Primary Data comprised a Questionnaire Survey that was further tabulated by “Relative Importance Index’ methodology for Delay Cause Factors. Similarly, for the analysis of effects of project delays, out of a structured questionnaire, the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) Statistical tool was used, and Key Informant Interview (KII) methodology was conducted in identifying remedial measures for the study projects. Te study found by the RII method, that low bids, delay in tree cutting and utility relocation permits, longer period of approval of IEE and EIA documents, lack of good coordination mong vi government bodies, and delay in land acquisition by the client were top factors contributing to delays. Accordingly, the application of the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method in the identification of delays effects subsequently found primarily, variation in Time and Cost followed by Claims and Disputes, Failure of project objectives, Legal Complications of contract termination, profit loss, Increased Financial burden and poor quality as main determinants if effects of project delays. The KII method collecting The PCA study conducted found that variation in cost and times affecting the project objectives are two major effects of project delay effects followed by reputational loss, increased budget and poor quality. The study found out low bids, delay in tree cutting and utility relocation permits, longer period of approval of IEE and EIA documents, lack of good coordination among government bodies, and delay in timely site acquisition by the client. The study is primarily focused into causes of project delays thereby understanding the effects that have been caused with expert opinion on the remedial measures based on inputs collected from the survey and analysis respectively. The research focused into the important role of transport infrastructure in Nepal's economic progress, highlighting the challenges hindering its development.

Keywords

Road Construction Project, Construction Delays, Relative Importance Index, Principle Component Analysis

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