Sluggish Fast Track

With overall progress standing at 38.26 per cent physically and 39.84 per cent financially, the Kathmandu-Tarai/ Madhes Fast Track (Expressway) project will likely miss its completion deadline of mid-April 2027. Initially, the project was scheduled to be completed by 2022, the deadline was subsequently extended to 2024 and then to April 2027.  Nepal Army (NA), which has been entrusted with the responsibility of constructing this expressway, has stated that the expressway will be completed in April 2027.  However, the NA as a reliable and strong state agency was not expected to miss the deadlines time and again. The fast track that will connect the capital with the central Tarai is a game-changer project in the country.

Transportation is the key infrastructure of development. The under-construction connectivity project will drastically reduce travel time between Kathmandu and the southern plain, thereby saving fuel and travellers' fare. It is a crucial infrastructure project for Nepal’s economic growth and integration as it will facilitate faster transportation of goods from Kathmandu to Tarai and vice versa. It would also enhance the road link with the proposed second international airport in Nijgadh, Bara. 

However, this ambitious pride project has faced many setbacks. Along with the difficulty exacerbated by geographical challenges, the project got delayed due to land acquisition and compensation issues. Likewise, tree-cutting work at the project site remains incomplete, which has further pushed back the project's deadline. A lack of coordination among stakeholders to resolve disputes invited by the locals, like that in Khokana also caused disruption. The concerned authority should address the nagging problems that prevent the project from being completed on time.

Similarly, floods and landslides, induced by the incessant rain from September 26 to 28, 2024, hit several project sites. Markhubesi and Makanpur areas are among the most affected project sites. As a result, project officials had to modify certain physical infrastructures, such as the height of the sky bridge constructed there, leading to further delays. 

The cost of the project was initially estimated at Rs. 112 billion, however, due to inflation, compensation issues and others, the cost escalated. The government, during the tenure of former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', handed over the project to the Nepali Army on May 4, 2017. However, the actual construction work on the fast track began only on May 14, 2021, after finalising the Korean company-designed DPR.  The NA is working on the project by dividing it into 10 different packages, starting from Chobhar designated as zero kilometre to Bara (Nijgadh). 

The NA was given the task of building this pride project bearing in mind that it has shown sheer capacity and become successful in constructing roads even in some of the most difficult terrains. However, land disputes, cost overruns, technical challenges, and political hurdles have severely delayed its completion. The government should step up to resolve these issues and ensure the project is completed at the earliest to fulfil its potential of transforming Nepal’s transportation sector. The timely completion of the development projects also increases people's faith in the government and its agencies.