KATHMANDU: Defense Minister Manvir Rai informed the House of Representatives on Monday that the Kathmandu–Tarai Madhesh Fast Track, being implemented by the Nepal Army, has reached 41 percent completion.

Speaking during the budget appropriation bill discussion, Minister Rai said the land acquisition process for the fast track in Tarai districts, excluding the Kathmandu Valley, has been completed.

He expressed confidence that significant progress would be made in the coming months. The project, entrusted to the Nepal Army by the government in 2017, has achieved only 41 percent progress in eight years.

Minister Rai also clarified that due to budget constraints, the army has been unable to provide preparatory training to youths over 18 years of age.

He stated, “Approximately 41 percent of the Kathmandu–Tarai Madhesh Fast Track is completed. We expect to reach substantial progress in the next few months. The land acquisition process in all Tarai areas outside Kathmandu has been completed, so disputes related to land are no longer an issue.”

Regarding hydropower projects, he noted that while the Nepal Army will provide security for hydropower installations, they will not be involved in construction work.

He added that although there is a future plan for the Nepal Army to manufacture bombs if the government decides and has the financial capacity, no immediate action has been taken in this regard.