Complete Fast Track project in given time: Minister Rai

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Sept. 4: Minister for Defence Manbir Rai has directed the Nepali Army to expedite the construction of the Kathmandu-Tarai-Madhes Fast Track (Expressway) Project to ensure its completion within the designated time frame.

In a meeting held on Tuesday at the Ministry of Defence to review the annual progress of the fiscal year 2023/24 and address a meeting of the Ministerial Development Action Committee (MDAC), Defence Minister Rai emphasised that the fast track, which is linked to the country’s prestige, must be completed on schedule under any circumstances.

“The fast track is associated with national pride, and any project of national priority must also be completed within the stipulated time,” Minister Rai said. The total physical progress of the ongoing fast track under the army’s management stands at 35.38 per cent and financial progress at 36.66 per cent. 

So far, Rs. 64.62 billion has been spent on the project, which has a total cost of Rs. 211.93 billion. The project is set to be completed by mid-April, 2027. 

Minister Rai expressed confidence that after the completion of the fast track, which will provide smooth road connectivity between the capital and the Tarai region, there will be a significant impact on the country’s economy.

He highlighted that the primary responsibilities of the army are national defence and public service and praised the army's involvement and performance in maintaining national peace and security.

Prof. Dr. Shiva Raj Adhikari, Vice-Chairman of the National Planning Commission, said that all agencies need to cooperate to complete national pride and national priority projects on time. He clarified that the Commission will prioritise adequate budget allocation for such projects. Emphasising the need for effective inter-ministerial coordination, Dr. Adhikari suggested the maximum use of technology.

Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Rameshwar Dangol, stressed the need to change the traditional budget allocation approach and urged the Planning Commission to allocate budget appropriately based on spending capacity.

Acting Chief of the Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel expressed concerns that low budget allocation might delay national pride and priority projects and called for adequate budget provision for such projects. 

He also stressed resolving the land acquisition problem, especially in Khokana region for the timely completion of the project.

During the programme, National Planning Commission’s Joint Secretary Manamaya Bhattarai (Pangeni), Under Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies Indra Kumari Thapaliya, Forest Officer Khila Nath Dahal from the Ministry of Forests and Environment, Senior Divisional Engineer Laxmi KC from the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Section Officer Ram Kumar Shrestha from the Ministry of Finance praised the physical and financial progress achieved by the Ministry of Defence in the past fiscal year.

In the last fiscal year, the Ministry of Defence and its agencies were allocated a total budget of Rs. 53.79 billion for recurrent expenditures and Rs. 5.56 billion for capital expenses, totalling Rs. 59.46 billion. Of this, as of mid-July, 2024, Rs 53.71 billion was spent on recurrent expenses and Rs. 5.52 billion on capital expenses.