PM Deuba lays emphasis on rapid construction of expressway

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has laid emphasis on completing the Kathmandu-Terai-Madhes expressway at the earliest time possible.

PM Deuba, who is also looking after the defence ministry, stressed the need to speed up the construction of the shortest route to connect Terai with Kathmandu.

He said this while addressing the fourth quarterly and annual progress review of the Ministry of Defense in the fiscal year 2021/22 and a meeting of the ministry-level development problem-solving committee.

"Keeping with the working efficiency of the Nepal Army, the national pride project like Kathmandu-Terai-Madhes expressway has been taken ahead with the national army on board for its management", Deuba said. In the meeting, PM Deuba further noted, "It is necessary to complete the construction of the expressway at the earliest time possible".

Saying that the defence ministry is the agency bearing very sensitive responsibility of national defence, he said the ministry has the working areas related to the country's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity.

Citing the reference to escalating tensions in the regional and international security environment, PM Deuba stressed that overall national security policy should not be undermined amidst the security challenges propping up in national and international areas.

The Prime Minister also pointed out the need for all the security agencies, including Nepal Army to not allow any weaknesses in the security environment and cautiously carry out the development and economic activities in an uninterrupted way by keeping intact people's lives and freedoms.

The Prime Minister lauded the NA's contribution to disaster risk reduction, prevention of COVID-19 outbreak and lifeless body management during a pandemic.

Similarly, Vice-Chair of the National Planning Commission Bishwo Nath Poudel pointed out the need of completing the construction of the fast-track as billions of rupees would be saved in fuel if it could be completed soon.

He urged the bodies concerned to pay attention to the construction of roads in Humla as roads in the district are important.

Poudel also asked the Nepali Army to pay special attention to the security of the park and save the lives of the citizens.

Likewise, Chief Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi stressed the need of carrying out the construction of important projects without making any delays.

Drawing attention to the possibility of taking huge financial benefit by the country from fast-track as it is a project of great importance, he said such projects should be completed even after making mechanism.

On the occasion, Defence Secretary Kiran Raj Sharma shared that 61.97 per cent of the capital and 65.05 per cent of physical progress have been achieved while analyzing the integrated form of the Ministry and subordinate bodies.

Chief of Army Staff Prabhu Ram Sharma said the NA has been trying to complete the fast-track on time, adding some problems that have surfaced due to various reasons—lack of access roads, risky areas, and geographical environment.

Joint-Secretary Baburam Adhikari presented the progress report of the Ministry in the meeting.