Kathmandu, Oct. 13 -- The Bridge Division of the Department of Roads was planning to award design-build contracts for 50 large bridge projects this fiscal year. But it has not invited tenders yet.

The delay in the bid invitation process goes against the notice of the Department of Roads issued on August 30 stating that road offices should invite tenders by mid-September. It also shows the country's poor track record when it comes to infrastructure development.

Deepak Bhattarai, chief of the Bridge Division, told the Post that they were in the initial assessment phase before they invite bids for the bridge projects.

"We are collecting information about the exact locations of the project sites, whether there are roads connected with the ...