Nepal Telecom’s (NT) tower construction works have been moving at snail’s pace, affecting a large number of consumers.

The company began erecting 20 towers some three years ago, but only five have been completed so far. The state-run telecom company had been blaming last year’s earthquakes and subsequent Tarai unrest and India’s embargo for the delays, but the works have not gathered pace even seven months after the lifting of the blockade.

NT has earmarked Rs10 million for the tower construction and has awarded the contract to China’s Huawei. The company was asked to complete the works within two years.

The towers are being constructed at Nusar Hariharpur Gadhi, Pipalmadhi, Kyaneshwor, Kapilakot, Bastipur, Dada Gurase, Mahadevsthan, Majhuwa, Jhagajholi Ratmata, Kusheshwor Dumja and Khangsang. Bhimsthan, Lampantar, Ratanchura, Tinkanya, Arunthakur and Kamala municipality are other are where the towers are being erected.

NT official Nawaraj Karki said the new towers at Jhara, Bhimsthan and three other locations in Kamala municipality come into operation. He said NT has been repeatedly asking the contractor to complete the works soon. At present, NT has been offering its services through 13 towers in the district.

Besides, there are seven towers of NT’s Sky service. The service is available in Majhuwa, Hariharpur Gadhi, Jhara, Kholagaun, Belghari, Kakurthakur and Mahadevsthan VDCs. Also, CDMA and Wimax landline services are available in Kamalamai municipality.

As of last year, there are 576 post-paid and 35,798 prepaid mobile service users in GSM category in the district, according to NT’s statistics.