Defence Minister directs for hard work on development projects

 Defence Minister Hari Prasad Upreti has instructed the bodies under the Ministry of Defence to work harder to achieve progress in accordance with the target in the development and construction projects they have been assigned to carry out.

In the meeting of the third quarter progress review and ministerial level development problem resolution committee held today at the Ministry in Singha Durbar, Minister Upreti said that the construction of the Kathmandu-Terai/Madhes Fast Track would be completed within the stipulated time.

Stating that the construction of the fast track is the national pride project, Minister Upreti said that such projects should be completed on time to give hope to the people. "In the policies and programmes for fiscal year 2024/25, the construction of the highway has been prioritized. The highway should be completed by April 2026. We have to work harder for the timely result," he said.

Expressing his happiness that the progress of the road infrastructure under construction by the Nepali Army is satisfactory, he admitted that due to lack of resources, some projects have not made the expected progress so far.

Member of the National Planning Commission, Dr Ramesh Chandra Paudel, said that it is satisfactory the target progress of the Ministry of Defence and its subordinate agencies is more than 80 per cent. He suggested paying attention to the timely construction of long-distance highways of national pride project, and the north-south road corridor.

Chief of the Army Staff Prabhuram Sharma informed that the Nepal Army is working hard to fulfill the responsibilities given by the government and said that the Army is working within the jurisdiction of the existing rules and laws.

Informing that the construction of the high bridge and double tunnel along with the expressway has been started, he assured that the project will be completed on time. Informing that 10 per cent of the total military manpower has been deployed as 'dedicated' in nature conservation, Army Chief Sharma said that this effort is exemplary in the world.