'Fast track' should be completed on time: Committee

The Parliamentary Committee has directed all concerned, including the Ministry, to fulfill their responsibilities in expediting the Kathmandu-Terai Madhes Expressway 'Fast Track' project. The committee has given the directive after discussing with the secretaries of the concerned ministries about the steps to be taken to remove the challenges and problems in the construction of the expressway within the stipulated time.

Today's meeting of the committee has directed the officials of the Ministries of Defense, Finance, Forest & Environment, Industry, Commerce & Supplies, Physical Infrastructure, and Transport to fulfill the responsibility of their ministries as soon as possible to complete the expressway within the time frame, i.e. FY 2024, said Chairman Ram Narayan Bidari.

The meeting also decided to invite the Prime Minister and the Secretary to the Council of Ministers to attend the next meeting to facilitate the implementation of the project if any law has created an obstacle or the law has to be amended or the directive has to be repealed.

Earlier in the meeting, the member expressed concern over the efforts made by the ministry to ensure financial resources for timely completion of priority projects of national pride, settlement of land acquisition disputes in the Khokna-Bungmati area, and facilitation of tree felling.

In the meeting, the secretary of the ministry expressed his commitment to carry out the work of the project on behalf of his ministry in a smooth and simple manner and assured to work on the basis of coordination and cooperation.

The construction of the 72 km long-distance road, which is the highest priority of national pride, is being carried out under the management of the Nepal Army. The construction of the expressway from Khokna in Lalitpur to Nijgadh in Bara and connecting it with the East-West Highway will reduce the cost and time of road transport between Kathmandu and the Terai.

The fast track, estimated to cost around Rs 175 billion, will have three tunnels and 87 long and short bridges. Construction is targeted to be completed within four years of DPR approval.