The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has decided to terminate the contract with Jaleshwor Swachhanda Bkoi Builders Pvt Ltd for the construction of Kathmandu View Tower at Old Bus Park.

The firm had agreed to build the 12-storey tower a year ago but failed to start the construction, the KMC spokesperson, Gyanendra Karki, said.

“We are in the process of terminating the contract,” he said.

The KMC has vacated the Old Bus Park as well as removed over five dozen businesses in the area to make way for the construction of view tower.

Six months on, the place, which is spread over 23 ropanis of land, has become a playground for stray dogs and parking space for private vehicles.

Initially, the builders had told KMC that the construction work could not start due to shortage of materials owing to months long blockade along the Nepal-India border.

“But the construction did not start even after the blockade was lifted,” Karki said. The builders could not be reached for a comment.

Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun had laid the foundation stone for the tower last year.

As per the agreement, the tower was supposed to be completed by 2019 with an estimated cost of Rs 7 billion.

Karki said the KMC will hire a different company for the job.