The Kathmandu-Terai-Madhesh Fast Track project is 31% complete with two tunnel breakthroughs projected by Jestha, in 2081. Till the end of Magh, 30.96% physical progress and 31.57% financial progress have been achieved. The project which connects Nijgadh, Bara with Kathmandu is one of the largest scale and pride projects of Nepal. Nepal Army is constructing it.
Kathmandu-Terai-Madhesh (KTFT) expressway stretches around 71 kilometers. Essentially, it radically speeds up the travel between Kathmandu and Terai- by 64 km. In the current route, the two points average a distance of around 135 km. So, the Kathmandu-Terai/Madhesh Fast Track will enable Kathmandu to Nijgadh (Terai) to travel in 1 hour. The project is expected to be a major boon for the socioeconomic leap of the country.
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Kathmandu-Terai-Madhesh Fast Track Road Project Progress:
The KTFT expressway project consists of 4.6 km of road in Kathmandu. Similarly, it covers 9 km in Lalitpur, 49.70 km in Makawanpur, and 7 km in Bara. The project consists of 13 construction packages. Of all, packages number 1 to 7 and 10 have been bought and are on the verge of implementation. Package 8 (ka), 8 (kha), and 9 (kha) are still entangled in controversy. Their case in the proceedings at Patan High Court.
Similarly, the issues relating to the determination of the starting point that lies at Khokana in package number 11, transport management in the area, and land acquisition for the project are yet to be resolved. Currently, 95% of the package implementation and purchase process is in effect, says Operation and Implementation Chief Indiwar Gurung.
Areas that are purchased for the project are seeing speedy works for tunnels and bridge construction. Currently, construction of three tunnels is underway which stretch a combined total of 6.415km. So far, 4.352 km or 67.43% of work has been completed.
Project engineer Binayak Sharma expects the breakthrough of the Lendada tunnel within Baisakh, in 2081. Likewise, Dhedre and Mahadev tunnelways could see their breakthrough by the end of Jestha next year. Sharma shared that per day an average of 3-meter tunnels is being dug.
Mahadeve tunnel is 3.355 kilometer long. So far, 1.948 km has been completed. Likewise, the Dhedre and Lendada tunnels stretch 1.63 km and 1.43 km respectively. In the same order, the two tunnels are complete with 1.176 km and 1.204 km construction.
The Kathmandu-Terami-Madhesh Fast Track Tunnels
The Kathmandu-Terami-Madhesh Fast Track project has 6 tunnels. All tunnels cover a distance of 10.55 km. In it, the Devichaur tunnel is 1 km long. Sishautar tunnel is 0.39 km, Chandram Bhir tunnel is 2.25 km long and Mahadevdada tunnel is 3.355 km long. Likewise, the Dhedre tunnel is 1.630 km and the Lendada tunnel is 1.430 km long.
The Kathmandu-Terami-Madhesh Fast Track Bridges
There are 89 bridges that combine 12.885 km. So far, 1.665 foundation piles of 2.802 piles that fall under the package no. 1 to 7 have been constructed.
The expressway’s width in hilly areas is 25 meters and in Terai areas, it’s 27 meters.
The Kathmandu-Terami-Madhesh Fast Track Total Land Use
The Fast Track will use a total of 15,416 ropani lands. Out of which, 10,244 ropani is government-owned land while 5,172 ropani is privately owned.
As per the land acquisition notice, 4,777 ropani of the total 5,172 ropani privately-held land has been acquired while 395 ropani are yet to be bought. Khokana-Bungmati area’s 214 ropani land is yet to have its compensation distributed while 165 ropani land is yet to have its price determined. A total of 379 ropani land is yet to be acquired in this area.
The Kathmandu-Terami-Madhesh Fast Track Cutting and Planting of Trees
Cutting down the trees has remained one of the hottest debates for the project, however, stringent measures have been put in place to remedy the fallen trees. So far, for every tree cut down, 25 trees have been planted. RSS reports that the entire project will see the plantation of around 7.4 lakh trees, of which over 7 lakh trees have been planted already.
The Kathmandu-Terai-Madhesh Fast Track project was handed over to the Nepal Army after a cabinet meeting on 2074 Baisakh 21. In 2074, Jestha 14, the then PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal inaugurated the construction of this benchmark project.
Nepal Army plans to complete the project by 2083 Chaitra.
The Kathmandu-Terai-Madhesh Fast Track starts at Khokana and ends in Nijgadh, at the East-West Highway Junction covering a total of 70.977 Km. It’s being built as per the Primary Class (Asian Highway Design Standard 1993). The project is estimated to cost Rs 211 billion after its amended DPR from August 2023.
Kathmandu-Terai-Madhesh Fast Track Project Features and progress so far
| Kathmandu-Terai-Madhesh Fast Track Project | Details |
| Starting-Ending point | Khokana, Kathmandu-Nijgadh, Bara (Terai) |
| Total Budget | Rs 211 billion |
| Construction responsibility | Nepal Army |
| Total length | 70.977 km |
| Construction started | Jestha 14, 2074 |
| Total land use | 15,416 ropani |
| Completion date | Chaitra, 2083 |
| Total Tunnels | 6 |
| Total Twin Tunnel Length | 10.55 Km |
| Total Bridges | 89 |
| Total Bridges Length | 12.885 Km |
| Road Category | Primary Class (Asian Highway Design Standard 1993) |
| Total construction packages | 13 |
| Interchange | 3 Numbers (Kathmandu, Budhune, Nijgadh) |
| Trees to be planted | 7,04,440 |
Also read: Muktinath Cable Car Project DPR submitted to the Nepal Investment Board
The Kathmandu-Terami-Madhesh Fast Track FAQs
Build your knowledge with FAQ relating to the country’s hugely significant Kathmandu-Terai-Madhesh Fast Track.
What is the total distance of the Kathmandu-Terami-Madhesh Fast Track?
The Kathmandu-Terami-Madhesh Fast Track is 70.977 Km.
What is the starting and ending point of the Kathmandu-Terami-Madhesh Fast Track?
The Kathmandu-Terami-Madhesh Fast Track starts at Khokana, Kathmandu, and ends at Nijgadh, Bara at the East-West Highway Junction.
What is the total budget cost of the Kathmandu-Terami-Madhesh Fast Track?
The Kathmandu-Terami-Madhesh Fast Track project is estimated to cost Rs 211 billion.
What kind of project is the Kathmandu-Terami-Madhesh Fast Track?
The Kathmandu-Terami-Madhesh Fast Track is a mega highway project in Nepal.
Which style or standard does the Kathmandu-Terami-Madhesh Fast Track highway follow?
The Kathmandu-Terami-Madhesh Fast Track follows the Primary Class (Asian Highway Design Standard 1993) model.
What is the expected completion date of the Kathmandu-Terami-Madhesh Fast Track project?
Nepal Army says that it expects the Kathmandu-Terami-Madhesh Fast Track project to be complete in Chaitra, in 2083.
Who is constructing the Kathmandu-Terami-Madhesh Fast Track road?
Nepal Army is constructing the Kathmandu-Terami-Madhesh Fast Track road.
When did the Kathmandu-Terami-Madhesh Fast Track project get underway?
Kathmandu-Terami-Madhesh Fast Track got underway after the then PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal laid the foundation stone on 2074, Jestha 14.