Narayan Neupane
KATHMANDU, Jan 16: The Nepalese Army (NA) is to prepare the detailed project report (DPR) of the Kathmandu- Terai Madhes fast track on its own.

At a press meet organized by the NA at its headquarters to share information about the progress so far on the project implementation, project deputy chief brigadier general Surya Prasad Khanal said this.

Earlier, project’s DPR was prepared by an Indian company and the NA was in dilemma whether to purchase the already prepared report after it was given the responsibility for implementing the project. The NA announcement of not purchasing the DPR from the Indian side followed the various rounds of discussions and debates on the issue.

A separate committee was set up to hold discussions with the India side regarding the DPR issue. The India side demanded over 560 million as the price for the document. The NA finally decided to prepare the report on its own after both sides failed to find an agreement.

The NA has found the price demanded for the report prepared by the Indian side highly expensive. Though the NA has not sufficient human resources required for working with the DPR preparation, it is to seek help from the consultant organizations and experts. The estimated cost for the preparation of a new report is 200 million.

Started with the target to complete it by May 24, 2017, the preliminary project cost is estimated to be Rs 1.20 billion.

The 76.2 kilometers road will have a total of 99 bridges at various places and 1.37 meters long tunnel track in between.

The NA is working on the construction process by setting up security base camps at five places, while additional five security base camps will also be established, said the NA.

The total 331 army men have been assigned for the process in two different phases. Clearance of forests in Bara for the construction and the process for compensating for using lands are underway. Bidding has been announced to purchase construction equipments.

The construction of walls on the side of the road has started, said the NA. RSS

KATHMANDU, Oct 13: A meeting of the Council of Ministers on Friday has decided to allocate the responsibly of deciding the purchasing price of the detailed project report (DPR) of Nijgadh-Kathmandu fast track project prepared by Indian Company IL&FS to the Directive Committee after studying the report’s utility.

The construction of much-awaited Kathmandu-Tarai (Madhes) Fast Track Road Project was handed to the Nepalese Army (NA) through the Cabinet decision on May 4, 2017. The deadline for completing the project is four years from that time.

The NA has formed a high level project implementation directive committee under the convenorship of NA lieutenant general Purna Chandra Thapa where representatives of Ministries of Finance; and Physical Infrastructure and Transport are the members.

Minister for Finance Gyanendra Bahadur Karki shared that the Cabinet meeting decided to allocate the responsibly of fixing price of the DPR to the committee.

Earlier, the government had formed a high-level committee in order to give suggestions on ideal modality and financial source management for the project under the then vice chair of the National Planning Commission, Min Bahadur Shrestha.

Though the construction of 76.2 kilometers road stretching from Khokana of Lalitpur to Nijgadh of Bara was handed to the Nepalese Army five months ago, no significant progress yet in the absence of the DPR.

Prime Minister Deuba recently instructed the Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Chief Secretary, Army Chief and the authorities concerned to take a final decision regarding fast track’s DPR and speed up the construction.

Earlier, the government had formed a team to study about the project DPR under the convenorship of infrastructure expert Birendra Bahadur Deuja and it had already submitted the report to the directive committee.

The NA has currently set up its camps at Makkhubesi, Kulekhani, Lendanda, Budune and Bagdev in course of undertaking the construction works while the compensation distribution is taking place at Chhaimale, Sokhel, Pharping, Bhimsensthan, Ghuskhelam and Saibu.

KATHMANDU, Sept 20: The government has said that it was giving its final decision on detailed project report (DPR) of Kathamndu- Terai/ Madhesh Fast Track, the development project of national pride, soon.

It may be noted Prime Minister recently instructed the Physical Infrastructure and Transport Minister, Defence Minister, Chief Secretary, Army Chief and other authorities concerned to finalize the project’s DPR as soon as possible so as to pave the way for the project implementation.

In a meeting of today of the Legislature-Parliament’s Development Committee, Defence Minister Bhimsendas Pradhan and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Bir Bahadur Balayar gave their words that the matter regarding the fast track’s DPR would be sorted out as soon as possible.

As the government said it had earlier formed a team under the convenorship of infrastructure expert Birendra Bahadur Deuja to study about the DPR and the team is about to wrap up the task.

The government on May 14 this year handed the responsibility of implementing the project to the Nepalese Army within the next four years. The 76.2 km track stretches from Khokana of Lalitpur to Nijgadh, Bara.

In the meeting, Committee president Rabindra Adhikari said the government was hopeful of the timely completion of the project as it the NA like competent institution had owned the responsibility of its implementation.

Lawmakers Keshab Budathoki, Sita Giri, Ganesh Pahadi, Aangdawa Sherpa, Ram Ayodhya Prasad Yadav, Janardan Dhakal, Lalitjung Sahi, Guru Prasad Burlakoti and Shanta Manwi called for lending support from all quarters to the NA in the project execution.

Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, Kewal Bhandari, urged the NA to use its skills in the project implementation, pledging no budget constraint for it.

NIJGADH, May 28: Prime Minster Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ today laid foundation stone for the construction of of the fast track – the strategically important national pride project that connects Terai region with capital city of Kathmandu.

The fast-track to be constructed by the Nepal Army would be with the length of 76.2 kms.
As part of the preparation, a High-powered Direction Committee has been formed under the leadership of NA Chief of Staff General Purna Chandra Thapa for the construction of the model project.

The project is expected to connect the feelings of Terai, mountain and hill regions and contribute to the economic advancement of the country.

The NA has pledged to complete the construction of the national glory project on time. The fast-track which starts from Khokana of Lalitpur would connect Bara through Kathmandu and Makawanpur.

On the occasion, Defense Minsiter Bal Krishna Khand, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Ramesh Lekhak and NA Chief Rajendra Chhetri were present.

The fast-track to be constructed at the cost of Rs 1.12 billion would reduce the travel distance from Nijgadh to Kathmandu to one hour. RSS

KATHMANDU, May 25: The Defence Ministry, in the aftermath of the government decision to conclude the construction of the 76.2 kilometres Kathmandu-Tarai fast track by the Nepal Army, held a meeting today to discuss the issue.

In the meeting, Defence Minister Balkrishna Khand said the government had, having a great faith on the competency of the NA, handed the responsibility of constructing the project to it. He expressed his confidence that the NA too would be able to carry out the work effectively and efficiently.

Also speaking on the occasion, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Ramesh Lekhak said the construction of the project would bring the Tarai people closer to the Kathmandu denizens and would reflect the NA’s competence and the country as well.

The meeting reached to a conclusion that the implementation of the project would be beneficial to the country on multiple fronts as it would save budget, fuel and time as well and would be the best alternative to the Tribhuvan Highway.

NA Acting Chief Baldev Raj Mahat expressed gratitude to the government for handing the responsibility of implementing the project to the NA, pledging to utilise its all strength to complete it on time.

A high-level policy level coordination and monitoring committee has been formed under the convenorship of National Planning Commission vice- chair to look after the work progress regarding the project and submit a report to the government every year. RSS