After five years of consideration, the UN body has decided that the 5km section of the 130km road, which is under construction, can pass through the world heritage site. Construction of the road, which was 60 percent complete at the time, was halted in 2010.

The 5km section through the Vat Phou site, including three concrete bridges, should have been finished at the end of 2011.

However, an official in the province’s Champassak district, Khampheng Sengmany, told Vientiane Times today that despite permission being given by Unesco, work on the road had not yet resumed.

“The construction company has not yet begun work on the road through the Vat Phou area as they don’t have the necessary finances at present,” he said.

Khampheng added that the company may have used up its money on other projects as they did not know when or if Unesco would grant permission for the road to pass through the temple site.

Deputy Prime MinisterPhankham Viphavanh discussed the matter with provincial authorities and company staff last week, saying he would try to obtain financing so that Road No. 14A could be completed.

The project was delayed while Unesco and provincial authorities carried out surveys and collected information from the Vat Phou Heritage Office on the possible impact of the road on the heritage site.

Work on the road began in 2008, with the first section running through Phongthong district to the Cambodian border. The first 25km stretch linking Phonthong district to Champassak district was completed at a cost of US$33 million.

The second section will run 35km from Champassak and will cost about US$19 million. This phase includes the 5km stretch through Vat Phou area.

The second phase was scheduled for completion by 2015, under the provision that Unesco allowed the road to pass through the temple complex.

Officials believe construction of the road will enable more tourists to visit the temple and ease traffic flow during the Vat Phou Festival which takes place in February each year, drawing thousands of people from across the country and overseas