KATHMANDU: A parliamentary committee has directed the concerned ministries to discharge their responsibilities so as to expedite the Kathmandu-Terai-Madhes fast track project.

The Delegated Management and Government Assurance Committee of the National Assembly issued the directive after a meeting with the secretaries of the concerned ministries about the measures to avert the current challenges to complete the fast track construction in the given time.

Committee President Ram Narayan Bidari shared that today’s meeting directed the ministry of defense, finance, forest and environment, industry, commerce and supply and physical infrastructure and transport to carry out their responsibilities to complete the fast track construction in the designated time within the fiscal year 2080/81 BS (mid July 2024).

The meeting has also decided to direct the secretary of the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers to be present in next meeting of the committee if there has been the need of facilitation from the authority in speeding up the project performance.

It is expected that the construction of fast track from Khokana of Lalitpur to Nijgadh of Bara would reduce geographical distance between Kathmandu and Terai and also contribute to the country’s economic development.

The fast track having an estimated cost of Rs 175 billion has three tunnels and 87 long and short bridges.

The target was to complete the construction within four years after approval of its detailed project report.