Kathmandu, June 27

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Ishwor Pokhrel today said the Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track Project would be completed within the stipulated deadline.

Although there are concerns that the Nepali Army lacks the experience to undertake such big projects and that quality may be compromised, Minister Pokharel said the expressway would be constructed strictly adhering to the government’s prescription on quality. The proposed 76-km expressway is one of the national pride projects.

The NA has been entrusted with completing the four-lane expressway within four years from the date of commencement of the project. The NA began work on the project some six months ago.

“The Nepali Army will complete the project on time and all quality standards set by the government will be met,” said Pokhrel, addressing the House of Representatives.

Pokharel said the government was making efforts to deploy more Nepali women soldiers to the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission. “The UN too wants us to send more women. We are preparing a plan for the same,” said Pokharel.

Pokharel also said the NA was prepared for disaster management work. “We are planning to procure modern equipment to make the disaster management work more efficient,” he said.

Taking part in the budget discussion in the House, Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Raghubir Mahaseth said it would take around five years to complete the Postal Highway project if enough resources were provided.

“So far, the Indian government has released Rs 8 billion,” he said, adding, the Nepal government had also mobilised around Rs 25 billion for the project.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Pradip Kumar Gyawali said the Eminent Persons Group on Nepal-India Relations would submit its report in July. “We are planning to solve boundary issues with neighbours very soon,” he said.

Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security Gokarna Bista said it would take some time to address issues related to foreign employment sector. “There are so many problems related to migrant workers. It will take some time to address them,” he said. “We will come up with legal and administrative solutions for migrant workers’ problems.”

Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa said he would not allow anyone to go against the rule of law.