MoU signed for construction of Kathmandu-Tarai fast track tunnels

Nepali Army (NA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for tunnel construction of two packages of Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track. The contract signing was made with China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited for package 1 and Poly Chyangda Engineering Company Limited for package 2 of the tunnel.

NA spokesperson Santosh Ballav Poudel shared that the first package was Rs 21.61 billion while the second package has Rs 28.53 billion. There will be one tunnel in the first package and two short tunnels in the second package.

The MoU to this effect was signed by the project chief of the Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track and Brigadier General Bikas Pokahrel on behalf of the project and Executive Director Xu Yan for package 1 from contractor and Project Manager Xhu Taniagyu Barbara for package 2.

Spokesperson Poudel said the MoU was signed in line with the Public Procurement Act 2063 and Regulation 2064 BS. The contract signing process was completed as per the provisions of Public Procurement Act in a fully transparent manner.

As per the MoU, the contractor was provided six months for the design and three years for the construction. Out of the 11 clusters developed by the NA to complete the project within the stipulated time, the MoU has been signed to construct nine clusters, it is informed.

However, the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives (HOR) had directed to scrap the project noting that the contract was against the preamble of Public Procurement Act. Following the committee’s directive, the NA had requested through the line ministry to reconsider its decision claiming that all works were being undertaken in a transparent manner.

So far the overall progress is reported to be 11.11 per cent and there is a target to reach 16.21 per cent by the end of the current fiscal year. The 72.5-km expressway with four-lane has a breadth of 25-metre in a mountainous area and 27-meter in the Tarai area. The national pride project will also have a total of 87 bridges in its area.