Fast Track achieves 27.19% physical progress

By Ashok Ghimire, Kathmandu, Nov 11: The Kathmandu-Terai Fast Track has achieved 27.19 per cent physical progress and 29.32 per cent financial progress amidst various obstacles and challenges. 

The national pride project is being implemented by the Nepali Army (NA). Once the four-lane expressway is completed, the southern plains can be reached within 2 hours and 2 minutes from the Kathmandu Valley. The expressway goes from Khokana of Lalitpur to Kathmandu, Makawanpur and reaches Nijgadh of Bara district.

The national project for which Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' had laid a foundation stone on May 28, 2017, at Nijgadh is expected to be completed by mid-April, 2027.

The incumbent government on October 16 last year approved the revised DPR of the Rs 211.93 billion project, according to which, the new length of the fast track is determined at 70.9-km, two km curtailed from the earlier one. 

There are six tunnels measuring 10.055 kilometers in total along the track that will be built according to the Asian Highway standards. Two-wheelers will be barred from plying the track having altogether 89 bridges along the way.

Designs of 45 bridges have been completed from packages no 1 to 5, according to the NA. NA's Colonel Bishwa Bandhu Pahadi reaffirmed the commitment to the timely completion of the Project. "The Nepali Army is determined to deliver the quality fast-track within the timeline," he reiterated.

At present, tall bridges and tunnels are being built at Mahadevtar, Dhedre and Lanedanda in Makawanpur district under the project being executed in a total of 13 packages.

Due to the fact that the DPR of the project was not approved on time, the fast-track suffered snail-pace construction in the course of time. Land acquisition and environment impact assessment and clearance of trees among others further delayed the undertaking, the NA said. (RSS)