Kathmandu: A parliamentary committee has directed the concerned ministries to discharge their responsibilities so as to expedite the construction works of 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 be taken to avert the current challenges to complete the fast track construction in the given time.

Committee President Ram Narayan Bidari shared that Wednesday’s meeting directed the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Forest and Environment, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supply and the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport to carry out their responsibilities to complete the fast track construction in the designated time within 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 the next meeting of the committee if there is a need to facilitate line ministries to speed up the project performance.

The construction of a fast track from Khokana of Lalitpur to Nijgadh of Bara is expected to reduce geographical distance between Kathmandu and Terai and also contribute to the country's economic development.

The fast track being built with 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, but the construction work has been delayed due to various reasons.