Barriers to Successful Completion of Urban Water Supply Projects: A Quantitative Performance Analysis of Nine UWSSP Subprojects in Western Nepal

https://doi.org/10.46610/JOCCE.2026.v012i03.002

Abstract

Urban water supply projects in Nepal frequently experience significant delays and cost overruns, yet systematic quantitative analysis of their performance remains limited. This study analyzes the quantitative performance of nine recently completed Urban Water Supply and Sanitation (Sector) Project (UWSSP) subprojects in Western Nepal, examining time overruns, extensions of time (EoT), Variation Orders (VO), and cost variance. Using project summary records from the Western Regional Project Management Office, the study found that all nine subprojects experienced universal time overruns ranging from 39.7% to 137.1% (average 69.0%), with eight of nine projects receiving three or more EoTs and seven of nine receiving two or more VOs. Counterintuitively, all projects were completed under budget relative to initial contract amounts, with cost variances ranging from -2.6% to -25.5% (average -12.4%). Tikapur Storm Water Drainage Project performed best on schedule (39.7% overrun), while Purnagiri WSS performed worst (137.1% overrun). The findings challenge conventional project management assumptions by demonstrating that severe schedule delays can coexist with apparent cost underruns. The study contributes empirical evidence on infrastructure project performance in Nepal's unique institutional context and provides baseline data for future comparative research.