KATHMANDU:  The Defence Ministry held a meeting on Thursday  to discuss the government decision to conclude the construction of the 76.2 kilometres Kathmandu-Tarai fast track by the Nepal Army.

In the meeting, Defence Minister Balkrishna Khand said the government had, having a great faith on the competency of the NA, handed the responsibility of constructing the project to it. He expressed his confidence that the NA too would be able to carry out the work effectively and efficiently.

Also speaking on the occasion, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Ramesh Lekhak said the construction of the project would bring the Tarai people closer to the Kathmandu denizens and would reflect the NA's competence and the country as well.

The meeting reached to a conclusion that the implementation of the project would be beneficial to the country on multiple fronts as it would save budget, fuel and time as well and would be the best alternative to the Tribhuvan Highway.

NA Acting Chief Baldev Raj Mahat expressed gratitude to the government for handing the responsibility of implementing the project to the NA, pledging to utilise its all strength to complete it on time.

A high-level policy level coordination and monitoring committee has been formed under the convenorship of National Planning Commission vice- chair to look after the work progress regarding the project and submit a report to the government every year.