Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium construction reaches 65% as deadline approaches

Chitwan, October 27, 2026 — Construction of the Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium in Bharatpur Metropolitan City-15 has reached 65 percent completion, with the project unlikely to meet its contractual deadline of Poush 27, according to officials.

Adarsha Pokharel, an engineer at Bharatpur Metropolitan City, said delays in the release of funds had forced the construction company to suspend work temporarily, affecting progress against the agreed schedule.

Under the funding arrangement, 70 percent of the project cost is to be paid by Bagmati Province, while Bharatpur Metropolitan City covers the remaining 30 percent. Pokharel said delays in the provincial budget release had disrupted construction. He added that delays by the contractor had also made completion by the end of Poush unlikely.

Samrat Silwal, a manager at the construction company, cited rising construction material prices, changing weather conditions and the challenges of building on existing structures as factors slowing the work. He said conflicting technical decisions related to the old structures had created additional difficulties.

The construction company is preparing to seek an extension from the metropolitan city. Under the agreement, an extension application must be submitted 35 days before the contract expires.

The project's first variation order (VO) was approved on Asoj 28, shortly before the original construction period was due to end. The initial contract was worth Rs 785.091 million, including VAT. Following the variation order, the project cost increased to Rs 862.484 million, with additional construction work included.