Nepal Parliament Building Construction Reaches 96% Completion, Seventh Deadline Extension Planned

Construction of the new Parliament building in Singha Durbar has reached 96 percent physical progress, but the project is yet to be fully completed even after several deadline extensions.

According to Roshan Shrestha, Deputy Director General of the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction and Project Director of the Special Building Construction Project Coordination Office, preparations are underway to extend the construction deadline for the seventh time.

The latest 90-day extension has already expired. Authorities are now moving ahead with the deadline extension process under the 15th amendment to the Public Procurement Regulations, which provides a legal basis for extending the deadlines of eligible contracts.

Shrestha said extending the deadline is necessary to keep the contract legally valid after the previous deadline has expired.

The deadline for civil works expired on Jestha 9, while the deadline for interior works expired on Jestha 15. Following the expiry of the deadlines, the construction company submitted an application seeking additional time.

House of Representatives Hall Ready for Parliamentary Meetings

The House of Representatives hall, considered one of the most important sections of the new Parliament building, is reportedly fully ready to host parliamentary meetings.

According to project officials, the hall has been equipped with the necessary infrastructure for camera installation, audio-video conferencing and live broadcasting of parliamentary proceedings.

The camera and conferencing systems have also been tested.

Officials have said the House of Representatives could technically begin holding meetings in the new building if the Federal Parliament Secretariat decides to operate the hall.

However, the decision on whether to use only the House of Representatives hall or shift the entire parliamentary operation to the new building will depend on the decision of the Parliament Secretariat.

National Assembly Hall Work Still Underway

Some work remains to be completed in the National Assembly hall.

The hall requires a four-layer false ceiling, with work on the fourth and final layer currently nearing completion.

After the false ceiling work is completed, wall panelling and acoustic treatment will be carried out. The installation of the conferencing system in the National Assembly hall will begin only after these works are finished.

Project officials expect the remaining work to be completed soon.

Security, Firefighting and HVAC Systems Under Testing

Finishing and technical testing work is progressing rapidly across various blocks of the Parliament building.

Work is currently focused on several technical components, including:

• Security system installation and testing
• CCTV camera installation
• Main server establishment and integration
• Firefighting equipment testing
• HVAC, or central air-conditioning, testing and commissioning
• Technical system integration

The security system inside the main halls has reportedly been completed, although integrated server management work is still underway.

Similarly, the firefighting systems and HVAC equipment installed throughout the building are currently undergoing testing and commissioning.

Furniture Installation Begins

The Federal Parliament Secretariat section of the building is nearing completion, with furniture installation already underway.

Parliamentary party offices allocated to political parties have also been prepared.

In the VVIP block, final touch-up works and furniture arrangements are currently being carried out in rooms designated for very important persons.

Construction Contract Signed for Over Rs 5.67 Billion

The contract for construction of the new Parliament building was signed with Tundi-Sec JV on Ashoj 16, 2076, at a cost of Rs 5.67 billion.

The project was initially scheduled to be completed within three years, by Ashoj 16, 2079. However, the deadline has been extended repeatedly due to various reasons, including delays associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The project has now reached 96 percent physical progress, with the remaining four percent of work mainly involving finishing, decoration and the integration of technical systems.

Sixth Deadline Expired as Seventh Extension Is Prepared

The Parliament building project has gone through multiple deadline extensions.

Under the original contract, the construction was scheduled for completion by Ashoj 16, 2079. Following delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the deadline was extended for the first time by six months, setting a new completion date of Baishakh 14, 2080.

When the work was not completed within the extended period, the deadline was extended for a second time. A third extension was subsequently granted, setting the deadline from Ashoj 20, 2080, to Chaitra 19.

The project again failed to meet the deadline, and a fourth extension set the completion date at Chaitra 18, 2081.

Following the expiry of that deadline, a fifth extension was granted until Push 16, 2082. However, the project remained incomplete.

A further 90-day extension was later granted in Falgun, but that deadline also expired in Jestha.

Authorities are now preparing to grant another extension, which would be the seventh deadline extension for the project.

New Parliament Building Could Support Future Parliamentary Sessions

The new Parliament complex is divided into 12 blocks and is designed as a modern, well-equipped facility for Nepal's federal parliamentary operations.

Since the election held on Falgun 21, one hall in the new Parliament building has reportedly been used as an alternative venue for House of Representatives sessions.

Once the remaining construction and technical works are completed, parliamentary proceedings are expected to gradually move to the new facility.

The project has become increasingly important following the damage to the International Convention Centre in Baneshwor during the Gen Z protest on Bhadra 23/24.

The International Convention Centre had hosted meetings of Nepal's Constituent Assembly and Parliament since Jestha 15, 2065.

According to the Department of Building Construction, the damaged convention centre cannot be retrofitted. A final decision is yet to be made on whether the structure will be demolished and replaced with a new facility or preserved in some form.

With the new Parliament building now 96 percent complete, authorities are focusing on finishing the remaining technical and interior works while preparing for another deadline extension.