PM Karki inspects Kathmandu–Terai Fast Track, Orders acceleration of construction

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Monday conducted an on-site inspection of the under-construction Kathmandu–Terai Fast Track, directing officials to expedite work on the strategically significant national pride project.

The Prime Minister visited the project site in the morning accompanied by a team of senior Nepal Army officials and high-ranking government employees.

During the inspection, Prime Minister Karki received detailed briefings on the physical and financial progress of the project. Expressing concern over delays, she instructed authorities to accelerate construction and ensure timely completion of the fast-track corridor.

She stated that the government is ready to provide all necessary policy, administrative, and logistical support required to remove bottlenecks and push the project forward.

“The fast track is a project of national importance. Work must move ahead with greater urgency,” she said, emphasizing inter-agency coordination to resolve outstanding issues. Her remarks come at a time when large-scale infrastructure projects are under increased scrutiny for delays and cost escalations.

The Kathmandu–Terai Fast Track, officially recognized as a national pride project, is considered strategically vital for Nepal’s transport and economic infrastructure. The expressway is designed to provide the shortest road link between Kathmandu Valley and Nijgadh in Bara district, significantly reducing travel time and improving connectivity between the capital and the southern plains.

The route is also viewed as crucial from a strategic and trade perspective, as it will enhance access to the Terai region, a key economic belt bordering India.

The project spans approximately 71 kilometers and is being constructed under the management and supervision of the Nepal Army. The Army was entrusted with responsibility for the project to ensure efficiency, security, and timely execution, given the expressway’s strategic sensitivity and engineering complexity.

Despite its importance, the project has faced multiple implementation challenges. Officials briefed the Prime Minister that policy-related complications, difficult geographical terrain, and land acquisition hurdles have slowed progress at various stages.

The alignment passes through hilly and forested areas, requiring the construction of tunnels, bridges, and complex engineering structures, which have added to technical and logistical difficulties.

As of the end of Asar 2082 (mid-July 2025), the cumulative physical progress of the project stands at 42.13 percent, according to project officials.

Although the original target is to complete the fast track by the end of Chaitra 2083 (mid-April 2027), achieving the deadline will require a substantial acceleration in construction pace and streamlined decision-making.

Prime Minister Karki stressed the need to resolve land acquisition disputes swiftly and ensure uninterrupted budget flow. She also underscored the importance of maintaining construction quality and safety standards, noting that national pride projects must set benchmarks in engineering and governance.

Senior Army officials informed the Prime Minister that work is ongoing simultaneously in multiple sections, including tunnel construction and bridge works. However, they highlighted that timely clearances, compensation distribution, and coordination with civilian agencies remain critical to maintaining momentum.

The inspection signals renewed political attention toward the fast track, which has long been viewed as a transformative infrastructure project capable of boosting trade, reducing transport costs, and stimulating economic activity between Kathmandu and the Terai region.