Minister orders officials to ‘Break contractors’ legs’ if work stalls, Sparks controversy

KATHMANDU: A controversial remark by Nepal’s Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Sunil Lamsal, has triggered criticism from the construction sector after he was heard instructing government officials to “break the legs” of a contractor if project work remained unfinished.

The comments were made during an inspection of the Nagdhunga–Mugling road project, where the minister was reviewing progress on ongoing road construction and discussing delays related to the relocation of electricity poles.

According to a video circulating on social media and local media reports, Lamsal instructed local authorities and project officials to locate the contractor responsible for relocating utility poles and ensure the work is completed without further delay.

Referring to the contractor, the minister said officials should “find him wherever he is on this earth” and bring him to the site. He further remarked that if the contractor failed to carry out the work, “break his legs,” emphasizing his frustration over prolonged delays affecting road users.

The minister’s remarks were made in the presence of officials including the Chief District Officer of Dhading, the district police chief, and project representatives.

Frustration Over Delayed Infrastructure Projects

The inspection was part of the minister’s broader review of road projects stretching from western to eastern Nepal. During the visit, he expressed concern over delays in relocating electricity poles, which have long been cited as a major obstacle to road expansion and upgrading works.

Lamsal argued that the public has suffered significantly due to construction delays and stressed that responsible parties must be compelled to complete their contractual obligations.

“The public has suffered enough. The poles must be relocated as soon as possible, and the work must move forward,” he said during the inspection.

Construction Sector Condemns Remarks

The minister’s statement has drawn criticism from members of the construction industry, who argue that while the government has the authority to take legal action against contractors that fail to meet contractual obligations, encouraging physical violence is unacceptable.

A senior official of the Nepal Construction Entrepreneurs’ Federation described the remarks as inappropriate and contrary to the rule of law.

“If a contractor fails to fulfill the terms of a contract, the government has legal mechanisms available to take action,” the official said. “However, directing officials to physically assault contractors is condemnable and unacceptable. We strongly denounce such statements.”

Industry representatives warned that public officials should exercise restraint and rely on legal and administrative procedures rather than inflammatory rhetoric when addressing project delays.

Chief District Officer Says Minister Wanted Faster Progress

Dhading Chief District Officer Laxmi Pandey Gautam said the minister’s primary objective during the inspection was to push for faster project implementation and ensure that no party contributed to further delays.

She maintained that the minister’s overall message was focused on expediting construction work.

“His main intention was to ensure that road construction progresses quickly and that no stakeholder causes unnecessary delays,” she said.

When asked about the widely circulated video in which the minister appears to explicitly mention breaking the contractor’s legs, Gautam said she did not interpret the comments literally.

“That was not the intention. He was emphasizing that delays under any pretext would not be tolerated and that obstacles affecting the project should be removed immediately,” she said.

Tough Stance on Contractors

Since assuming office, Minister Lamsal has adopted a hardline approach toward contractors accused of delaying public infrastructure projects. Officials within the ministry say he has repeatedly warned contractors to accelerate construction and has publicly criticized companies failing to meet deadlines.

Reports indicate that some contractors have previously been summoned to the ministry and subjected to direct scrutiny over delayed projects.

The controversy has also revived discussion about comments made by Balen Shah before entering public office, when he argued that contractors should be compelled to complete projects “even if they have to be tied to a tree.” Lamsal is widely regarded as being politically close to the Kathmandu mayor.

Debate Over Accountability and Rule of Law

The incident has reignited debate over how Nepal should address chronic delays in infrastructure projects. While many citizens have expressed frustration with contractors and incomplete public works, legal experts argue that accountability must be enforced through contractual penalties, blacklisting provisions, and judicial processes rather than threats of physical punishment.

The controversy comes at a time when the government is under increasing pressure to accelerate infrastructure development, improve project execution, and address public dissatisfaction over delayed roads, bridges, and other critical public works.