Panchthar, June 15 -- Construction of the Mid-Hill Highway, a national pride project, has come to a halt at its starting point in Panchthar district after workers abandoned the site due to unpaid wages. About 150 workers, who had been employed across a 51-kilometre stretch of the highway under three different contracts, stopped working two weeks ago after they did not receive their wages due for six months.

Two joint venture companies-Roshan Shivashakti JV and Santoshi Shivashakti JV-were awarded the contracts for upgrading the road. Their failure to pay the workers has left the road section in disarray.

As per the contract agreement, the project had to be completed in 2021. The government has extended the deadline three times, with the...