KATHMANDU: The government has said that the detailed project report (DPR) of the Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track, a development project of national pride is in the pipeline.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba recently instructed the Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Defence, Chief Secretary, Army Chief and other authorities concerned to conclude the preparation of the project's DPR as soon as possible to pave the way for the project implementation.

In a meeting of the Development Committee under the Legislature-Parliament today, Minister for Defence Bhimsen Das Pradhan and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Bir Bahadur Balayar committed that the task of preparing the DPR of the fast track would be concluded as soon as possible.

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

The government on May 14 had handed over the responsibility to Nepal Army for the implementation of the project within the next four years.

The 76.2 km track stretches from Khokana of Lalitpur to Nijgadh of Bara. Five months on, no significant progress has been seen in the DPR building.

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

Lawmakers Keshav 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.