KATHMANDU, JANUARY 27
Prime Minister Sushila Karki has directed authorities to ensure development projects, including road infrastructure, do not harm religious beliefs and cultural heritage sites.
During an inspection of the Kathmandu-Tarai/Madhes Fast Track-a national pride project-today, the Prime Minister ordered concerned bodies to seriously address local concerns and find solutions.
"The concerns of the locals should be taken seriously and solutions found. The demarcation along the section as well as zero point should also be changed if needed. We should forward development construction without hurting their faith," she said.
PM Karki also stressed the importance of preserving open spaces during construction. "Open space is needed during natural disasters. It is also required for people's movement, festivals, fairs, gatherings. Therefore, we should abandon the idea of building any structure after seeing an open space. We should plan and build structures by leaving open space," she stated.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Ministers for Physical Infrastructure and Transport and Foreign Affairs, along with secretaries from various ministries and other officials.
Chief of Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel and Project Chief Major General Dharmendra Jha briefed PM Karki on the project's progress and challenges.
The expressway project, managed by the Nepali Army, faced initial delays as the detailed project report (DPR) took time for approval. The 70.977-kilometer expressway has currently reached approximately 45 percent physical progress.
The project requires construction of more than 87 bridges, some reaching up to 82 meters in height and of specialized design. The Army stated these bridges are in their final construction stage.
Officials confirmed the project will be completed by Chaitra-end 2083 BS within the initial estimated cost of Rs 213 billion. Seven tunnels are also under construction.
Once completed, the expressway will provide a short-distance connection between Kathmandu Valley and the central Tarai region, significantly reducing transportation costs and time for goods movement, contributing to national economic development.
The Army stated it is making special efforts to accomplish tasks according to project objectives.
(With inputs from RSS)
