KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 12: Despite the frequent hiccups and hindrances, the construction of the Kathmandu-Terai Fast Track seems to have been gathering pace. Currently, the physical progress of this national pride project is 27.19 percent while its financial progress stands at 29.32 percent. The responsibility of developing this project is being undertaken by the Nepal Army.
“We are committed to completing the Fast Track within the stipulated timeframe by ensuring a high degree of quality,” said Colonel of the NA, Bishwa Bandhu Pahadi. He also informed that the construction of tunnels and tall bridges, considered as the prime physical challenge of the project, is moving forward effectively and efficiently. Such structures are being built at Mahadevtar, Dhedre and Lanedanda in the Makwanpur district.
Out of the total proposed length of the tunnels of 6.415 km, so far, the digging work of 3.135 km has been completed. Similarly, a bridge measuring 1.490 meters over the 3.355 km-long Mahadevtar tunnel.
The entire project is divided into 13 Packages, and covering Packages 1 to 5, the designs of 45 bridges are also finalised.
As per the plan, the total estimated cost of this 70.9 km-long Fast Track is Rs 211.93 billion. The project will feature a total of 89 bridges and six tunnels measuring 10.055 kilometers.
The four-lane expressway is expected to reduce travel time from the Kathmandu Valley to the southern plains to just 2 hours and 2 minutes. It stretches from Khokana of Lalitpur to Kathmandu, Makawanpur and reaches Nijgadh of Bara district.
According to the NA, the project was earlier dogged by anomalies related to the DPR, land acquisition, and environmental impact assessments, including tree clearance.
