Fast Track project deadline pushed to 2030

Kathmandu, Aug. 1 : The government has extended the completion deadline for the Kathmandu–Tarai/Madhes Fast Track (Expressway) project by three years, giving the Nepali Army until April 3, 2030 to complete the national pride project.

The decision was taken by the Cabinet at its meeting on August 5, according to Brigadier General Rajaram Basnet, Spokesperson for the Nepali Army. The previous deadline was mid-April 2027. 

The extension comes with more than half of the work yet to be completed and less than eight months remaining under the previous deadline. Recent reports had also indicated that the project was unlikely to meet the April 2027 target, given its slow pace and unresolved issues in the Khokana section, mainly the land acquisition issues. The Army had proposed extending the deadline during the tenure of the government led by interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki. The proposal was not approved at the time. This time round, the decision to extend the deadline was taken about a month ago but had not been publicly disclosed. 

Third extension since Army took over

This is the third time the deadline has been extended since the government entrusted the project to the Nepali Army. The government handed over responsibility for constructing the Expressway to the Army on May 4, 2017, with the original target of completing it within four years.