CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Nepali Army has been instrumental in opening up remote areas through rugged
mountainous terrain with a large number of road and bridging projects. The selfless
sacrifices of Army personnel and its institutional drive and integrity have made it possible
for national planners to maximize the benefits from limited resources. The Nepali Army
has played an important role in developing road networks in remote and rugged areas. The
76-km expressway will connect Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Makwanpur and join the East West
Highway at Nijgadh of Bara district. The project had been in limbo for the past 10 years
until the government decided to hand over its execution to the NA on May 4. Saroj
Pradhan, joint secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport and other
army officials were also present on the occasion. The project is expected to generate an of
31% economic rate. However, the economic benefits above do not explain the whole. The
Nijghad will not be viable in the absence of this Fast Track road. The Nijghad Airport and
the Fast Track Road Project will have capacity to invite increased numbers of Buddhist and
Hindu tourists as the travelling time to Janakpur from this airport will be around 1 hour and
Lumbini will be 4 hours. This road will bring all people from the Eastern Development
Region closer to Kathmandu by about 4 hours. This will push urbanization around Birgunj,
Nijghad, Hetauda area counter balancing the excessive population growth in Kathmandu.
Kathmandu valley will have opportunity to develop itself as an administrative center,
historical heritage site and academic center. As Kathmandu has been experiencing
diseconomies of scale, a majority of industries can be shifted to Central east Terai. A
majority of export oriented industries can be shifted as they will be closer to the
international airport and also will be closer to the Kolkata port. This road will have
leverage to integrate nation as it will address Madhesi grievances directly. An intensive
industrial and commercial development in central Eastern terai will greatly help to improve
social harmony among Madhesi and Pahadi communities. More importantly, this road is
one of the sections of the North South Transit Route which links between Birgunj with
Rasuwaghadi shortly which is the most convenient pass to link Tibet with the Indian sub-
continent. The Chinese government is going to extend the railway head up to Rasuwaghadi
 2

which means the trade potential between three countries will materialize soon for which the
present Fast Track will play a pivotal role. The NA has aimed to complete the four-lane
expressway a national pride project--in four years. The width of the road is of 6 lanes
which will be of 21m and more number of vehicle can pass easily. More than 2000oldiers
and 3000 civil workers has been actively participated in the construction of fat tracks in
recent days .

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The Nepali Army is a competent national force prepared to meet the full spectrum of
challenges to security and defence. Besides safeguarding the nation from external
aggression, it is well-prepared and fully competent in undertaking duties such as
infrastructural developments. Nepali Army has been volunteering in building road
networks from the very beginning. And it has already completed a lots of road network.

1.2.1 What are the construction planning and progress by Nepali Army?

1.2.2 Is the construction of Nijgadh-Ktm fast track important for Nepal?

1.2.3 What are the roles and challenges to Nepali Army to construct this Track?

1.2.4 How Nepali Army is planning to complete Nijgadh- Kathmandu fast track?

1.3 Objectives of the study

The study aims to do thorough study of the hot topic Nijgadh to Kathmandu fast track and
To understand what are the challenges that has to be faced by Nepali Army.

1.3.1 To study about the construction planning and progress by Nepali Army.

1.3.2 To study the importance of construction of Nijgadh-Ktm fast track in Nepal.

1.3.3 To study about the roles and challenges to Nepali Army to build this Track.

1.3.4 To study about Nepal’s Army planning to complete Nijgadh fast track.

1.4 Justification of the Study

 3

There are very few researches on “Nijgadh-Kathmandu Fast Track and Role of Nepali
Army”. Therefore, there is the need to understand role of Nepali Army in Fast track
Nijgadh to Kathmandu. Similarly, we can be able to learn about the importance of fast
track which joins Terai region and mountainous region that is Kathmandu in a very short
period of time that is approximately 1 and half hours. Beside defence, strategy and tactics.
Other than that we can also learn the Nepali Army involvement on building nation
smoothly which will provide a good data collection and facts research. Therefore, this
research paper can help students, readers and scholars to know about role of Nepali Army
in Building Nijgadh Kathmandu Fast track. This study foretells about how Nepali Army is
tackling the problems regarding building the fast track. As Nepali Army has also done
opening roads in other parts of country as well like in Kalikkot- Bajura- Humla and china
joining road. So it will not be a big problem for them to manage and complete the task in
time.

1.5 Limitation of the Study

The limitation of the study will mainly be confined within a study on the management done
by army and government support to build the fast track. This research paper covers only the
roles of Nepali Army in building Nijgadh- Kathmandu fast track, the project is taken by
Nepali Army in order to develop the infrastructure of Nepal. Own Analysis is based on the
published , newspaper, internet and general perception of the officers who works under
Fast Track and the one who has already participated in Building roads in Nepal and also the
personal experience of researcher himself. The research paper only outlines the details of
the topics mainly focused of roles.

1.6 Review of literature

Fast Track Project to be given to Nepali Army focuses on the initiation of Fast Track by
NA. The cabinet meeting presided over by the then Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal
decided to give the project to NA. With the unsuccessfull attempt of moving ahead the
Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) system of construction, operation and distribution, the
government is going to build the project under the management of the Army. The national
pride project was left in the listing for the past nine years.
 4

NA had already opened the track of the 76 km fast track with an investment of Rs. 1.12
billion. Surendra Karki, Minister for Information and Communications informed that the
decision was made on the proposal of Ramesh Lekhak, who is the department minister
receiving the positive reply from the Army.

The article provides preview on the reason for providing fast track construction
responsibility for NA.

Prime Minister lays foundation stone of Fast Track focuses on the commencement of the
fast track project on time in accordance to the need and demand of time and general people.
The then Prime Minister Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal laid foundation stone for the
construction of the Kathmandu-Terai Fast Track, the national pride project, in a special
ceremony organized in Nijgadh, Bara on May 28, 2017. Speaking at the occasion,
Honorable Physical Infrastructure and Transport Minister Mr. Ramesh Lekhak and
Honorable Defense Minister Mr. Bal Krishan Khand expressed their belief that NA, with
all the previous experiences, skills and efficiencies demonstrated during various phases of
national development, will successfully complete the construction of the national glory
project in time.

Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Rajendra Chhetri said that NA is honoured to get
the management responsibility for the construction of the immensely important national
pride project and NA is committed to accomplish the given responsibility. At the
beginning, chairman of the High-Powered Direction Committee Chief of Staff (COS) Lt
Gen Purna Chandra Thapa while delivering the welcome speech said that the construction
of immeasurably important project will be a milestone to the economic development of the
country. Likewise head of the construction of the Fast Track project T/Maj Gen Yogendra
Khand briefed on the various technical aspects of the project.

The article provides information about the direction committee who are liable for the
construction of fast track in the given time frame. The article highlights on the management
and responsibility for the construction committed by NA.

There are few Articles to review on the specific research topics. However, the sources for
the research have been primary sources of literature, interacting and conceptual paper
presented within the army by various offices. However various books, hands outs, journals
magazines and internet websites have been rifled to gain and gather information as part of
 5

the research. In the Article “Fast track handed to Nepali Army by Nabin Acharya, he has
stated how to formulate the ideas behind building fast track by Army i.e., mitigation,
preparedness, planning, Management and response but also foster an understanding of how
the field works within the framework of both Government and Army. A special area of
focus is the case-studies which seek to give a pragmatic understanding of Nijgadh-
Kathmandu fast track, along with an assessment of the challenges and risks it presents

In the Article Army Review Consultants to review fast track DPR by Mukesh subedi, he
had described how the army is looking for three experts—one geotechnical expert or
geologist with experience in slope stability, one bridge engineering design expert and one
civil engineer having experience in overview of highway planning and design, road survey
and slope stability analysis to best utilization of manpower. Brigadier General Jhankar
Bahadur Kadayat, spokesperson for the Nepali Army. He refused to provide further details
about recent developments in the project. Kadayat even denied that the army was looking
for consultants to review the DPR.

Similarly on a article published on Kathmandu post by Krishna Shrestha, he has also stated
that The NA, currently setting up security camps in Malta, Surya Dovan, Budne and
Cheppre of Lalitpur, is speeding up construction works, targeting to complete it within the
next three years. Along the 29-km section between Lalitpur and Thingana of Makwanpur,
1.3-km-long tunnel needs to be constructed and more than 10,000 trees of 750 community
forests would need to be cut. Out of the total 76 km, bridges alone cover 8-km section. As
many as 150 bridges need to be built in separate places. . The Fast Track, which is very
important to country. Likewise head of the construction of the Fast Track project T/Maj
Gen Yogendra Khand briefed on the various technical aspects of the project.

1.7 Research Methodology

This research paper is a descriptive and analytical study of the available sources .The
secondary data are derived from the journals ,magazine, newspapers.
 6

1.8 Chapter Organisation

The chapters of the research are organized as given below:

1.8.1 Chapter I: Introduction

1.8.2 Chapter II: Importance of fast track in Nepal

1.8.3 Chapter III: Roles of Nepali Army in Nijgadh-Kathmandu Fast Track

1.8.4 Chapter IV: Planning and Working Procedure

1.8.5 Chapter V: Problems and Obstacles in completing fast track

1.8.6 Chapter VI: Steps taken to tackle all Problems

1.8.7 Chapter VII: Finding Conclusion and Recommendation

 7

CHAPTER II

IMPORTANCE OF FAST TRACK IN NEPAL

Transport infrastructure is one of the most important factors for a country's progress.
Although Nepal has a large and diverse geographical sector with its own share of
challenges, they can be overcome by energy-efficient technologies and customer-focussed
approach
Domestic transportation is a key factor for economic growth. In Nepal, there are equal
number of challenges and opportunities. Road experts believe that the road transport
systems are six times more energy efficient than road others. The social costs in terms of
environment damage or degradation are significantly lower in road. Road construction
costs are approximately lower than other for comparable levels of traffic. Historically, the
Nepalese roads have played a leading role in carrying passengers and equipment across
Nepal.

And similarly Kathmandu Terai is an important project for Nepal. The agreement will have
a provision which will ensure that government can buy the project from Indian developer
even at the time when it is in profit, Nepali Army are dealing cautiously with it.” Nidhi
informed that the ministry is in the final stage to send the project details to the Project
Facilitation Committee of the National Planning Commission (NPC) led by its vice
chairman Govinda Raj Pokhrel for review and feedback. Once the NPC forwards the
document to the ministry it will incorporate the recommendations made by the commission
and take it to the Cabinet for endorsement. “We are hopeful of holding the concessional
agreement, which will pave way for initiating ground level works once the Cabinet gives an
approval,” Nidhi said. The Kathmandu Nijgadh Fast Track is strategically important for
Nepal and that there should be no delays in initiating the project. This road project will not
just connect the country’s Capital city with Madhesh but also lure investors for proposed
Second International Airport in Nijgadh. Physical Infrastructure and Transport Ministry
Secretary Tulsi Prasad Sitaula, however, said that the toll seems to be costly as it will be
applicable only after the project gets functional. The project will conclude in five years of
time from the date of construction. The toll will be applicable after that for a period of five
years. While it takes at least 5 hours to reach Nijgadh from Kathmandu at current, the
 8

design locked by the Indian team aims at connecting these two places in just 59 minutes.
Hence fast track plays vital role in development sector of Nepal. As we know Nepal was
far behind in term of developmental works road could play as a backbone for development.

If we see the Nepal history then we can found that after the opening of road tracks in Nepal
there has been a lot of progress in the field of development as well as other sectors. For an
example after they establishment of east west highway that is Mahindra highway Nepal
began to develop fatter than before. The economy rate after the establishment of that
highways construction was very high. But if we see the present context there has not been
any progress because we are depending on the traditional rods that were constructed by
India. So terai Kathmandu fast track is also very important for us to develop the nation and
serve the citizens. The distance from Bara district to Kathmandu through the Mahendra
highway is 600 km but fast track reduces to 76.4km also the traffic flow through this
highway is very high which will helps to have a limited numbers of vehicles .Import of the
oil will be reduces as the consumption will be less and willhelp for the economic
development of a country.
 9

CHAPTER III

ROLES OF NEPALI ARMY IN NIJGADH-KATHMANDU

FAST TRACK

3.1 Introduction

The government has aimed to complete the construction of 76-kilometre track in four
years. Currently, the Nepali Army is preparing to form a directive committee to carry out
the construction works soon. A lieutenant general or major general would lead the
committee, which also includes officials of Physical Infrastructure, Finance and Defense
ministries as members. The Directive Committee would make final decisions on when and
how to begin the works,” NA spokesperson Jhankar Bahadur Kathayat tells. The Nepali
Army is committed to fulfill its responsibilities.” The national military organization has
been planning to use own human resources for most tasks during the construction whereas
needful skilled human resources would be hired. Army also need some technical human
resources and hence we are not for constructing the fast track fully on our own,” Kathayat
says, “We can hire skilled human resources externally if need be.” The Nepali Army itself
had opened the preliminary track of the national pride project, with an investment of Rs 1
billion. The preliminary works had taken one year to complete.

3.2 Amendment of Fast Track by Army

The Nepali Army says it will amend the detail project report of Kathmandu-Terai fast track
to make changes in the plan. The Army is currently studying the report prepared by India’s
IL and FC to make changes, informs Major Genera Yogendra Bahadur Khand, who also
leads the Fast Track Directive Committee. He says it will take around nine months to
amend the plan. The height of bridges will be decreased as the structures taller than 75
metres will have a higher risk of collapse during earthquakes, he informs lawmakers at a
meeting of the Development Committee in Parliament, “We will complete the construction
of fast track within four years,” he says, “Foreign technicians and Nepali construction
workers will also be involved in the construction besides army personnel.” The Army has
already established five base camps to expedite the construction works, according to
 10

Khand. Then Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal had laid the foundation stone for the fast
track on May 28 this year. The government plans to complete the construction within next
four years. The government has already endorsed the working procedure for the
construction. After the construction, it will take around an hour to reach Nijgadh via the 76-
kilometre road that spans across Lalitpur, Makawanpur and Bara districts. There will be a
1.5-kilometre tunnel, 99 bridges and six overhead bridges along the road (kantipur, 2017).

3.3 Process by Nepali Army

Nepali Army has always remained committed in completing projects even during the hard
times as well, Army has been assigned with national pride projects including Kathmandu-
Nijgadh fast track and expressed optimism that NA would complete the projects in time,.
The government is preparing to import necessary equipment for the construction of 9
kilometers’ of tunnel along the fast track and 99 bridges would be built in the national pride
project.NC leader Pradhan said that the NA had successfully completed the Karnali
corridor of Humla-Simikot road stretch and 196 km road would come into operation in next
two years. NA have won the hearts of Nepalese and people are aspiring to see more
developmental projects handed over to the national army. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur
Deuba recently instructed the Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Minister
for Defence, Chief Secretary, Army Chief and other authorities concerned to conclude the
preparation of the project’s DPR as soon as possible to pave the way for the project
implementation. Army has separated different kinds of stages in order to build the road in
time. They have scattered their units and formation along the road sides so that they can
easily access the work on smooth and prosperous way.

3.4 View of Nepali Army

The Nepali Army will be constructing the 76-km road, the shortest one to link Kathmandu
with the Terai, at a cost of Rs. 110 billion. Earlier, the KP Oliled government had decided
to build the road by the Nepal government. But after the Oliled government collapsed in
August last year, there were rumours that the new government was preparing to hand over
the task of constructing the fast-track to an Indian company. The conflicting views
expressed by a few Nepali Congress leaders against the decision to build the road by Nepal
had also bred suspicion about the fate of the road. However, the then Prime Minister
Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and NC president Sher Bahadur Deuba, immediately
 11

after the formation of the present government, had assured the people that the Government
of Nepal would build the fast-track on its own. What the two leaders had told the public has
now been realized after Prime Minister Prachanda laid its foundation stone at Tamaghad, in
Bara district Sunday morning.

The fast-track that passes through Lalitpur and Makwanpur before reaching Ratanpuri of
Bara district is expected to connect Kathmandu with the Terai not only physically but also
culturally and mentally. The then Prime Minister Prachanda highlighted this aspect of the
expressway in his remarks while laying the foundation stone. He said the Kathmandu-Terai
fast-track would serve as a bridge to tie the sentimental and cultural bonds between the
people of the Terai, hills and mountains. The track of the road was opened by the Nepali
Army three years ago. The construction of the expressway that begins from Khokana of
Lalitpur and ends at Nijgadh of Bara will be completed in four years.

3.5 Does Citizen Support to Build This Road?

As the expressway passes from the Kathmandu Valley to the Terai through a difficult
terrain, its construction will be a highly challenging task. But the Nepali Army that has
constructed a number of roads, especially in the remote and difficult areas, including the
Karnali Highway, has taken the responsibility of constructing the road that will have 99
bridges, 160 culverts and one 1.356-km-long tunnel. The Nepali Army has expressed the
commitment to complete the construction work within the given timeframe of four years.
As the NA has maintained a good track record in building roads, the expressway is
expected to be competed in four years. Once the construction of the expressway gets
completed, people will be able to reach the Terai from Kathmandu in an hour. Until now it
takes at least four hours to reach the Terai (Chitwan) from Kathmandu. Besides, the road
will help reduce the consumption of fuel in the country as well as the prices of everyday
commodities in Kathmandu. Now that the construction of the important highway has
begun, all people, especially those in Lalitpur and Makwanpur districts through which the
road passes, should cooperate with the government to complete the expressway within four
years without creating any obstruction in its construction. So the citizens of both
Kathmandu valley or let’s say mountainous region as well as the peoples from terai both
are equally supporting this project because it will be beneficial for both of the travellers,
 12

businessman, and many so on peoples. Since this project helps in raising the economic
status of terai region as well as people from Kathmandu.

CHAPTER IV

PLANNING AND WORKING PROCEDURE

4.1 Army Higher Level Planning

The national military organization has been planning to use own human resources for most
tasks during the construction whereas needful skilled human resources would be
hired.“Army also need some technical human resources and hence we are not for
constructing the fast track fully on our own,” Kathayat says, “We can hire skilled human
resources externally if need be.”The Nepali Army itself had opened the preliminary track
of the national pride project, with an investment of Rs 1 billion. The preliminary works had
taken one year to complete.as like other road construction we can see the karnali corridor
construction taken by Nepali Army before there was a lot of planning and preparation. The
allocation of task to the respective formation in batallions and companies along with their
posts working was easier. This road has been considered significant for the overall
development of the Karnali region for it will work as the lifeline for the remote parts of the
Karnali and Seti zones.

Moreover, this road will be the main artery running from Hilsa in the northern border with
Tibet to the Jamunaha border checkpoint on the border with India to the south.
It is also a national pride project. The completion of this road project will make travel to
the holy site Kailash Manasarovar in Tibet easier, which is expected to boost tourism. This
task has not been completed yet but the progress is still going on. And in similar way
Nepali Army is planning on building this fast track. There will be the posts along the tracks
with the technical unit and formations (himalayan times, 2017).

4.2 Economic Management

Rs. 10 arab allocated in the national budget for the fiscal year 2016/17 is for the
construction of Kathmandu-Nijgadh Fast Track, according to Secretary of the Ministry of
 13

Physical Infrastructure and Transport. Secretary Money has been earmarked for land
acquisition, contract management, and other works associated with the project
spokesperson for the Ministry, refuted reports claiming that the 10 arab sum was allocated
for the construction of

Kathmandu -Nijgadh. The chief of the fast-track project Satendra Shakya said that the
project is capable of spending Rs. 10 arab even in the present situation, but ongoing court
cases and other obstacles have caused delay to it but “Works such as building a bus-park in
Khokana and paying compensation to the residents are fairly urgent and money from the 10
arab budget can be spent on these pieces of the project. According to Government officials
they are equipped to make suggestions about how money should be spent, final decisions
are completely up to the ministry. Nepali Army has been allocated Rs 100 million through
the Defense Ministry to open fast track linking Kathmandu with Tarai. Many officials have
suggested the government to allocate the entire unspent budget every fiscal year for the fast
track road project and complete it in a fast track manner. Commitment meets required
funds.

Finance Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara expressed the commitment to ensure funds for
the national pride projects including the Tarai-Madhesh fast track and the Nijgadh
international airport. "The problem however is not lack of funds but inability to spend it.
The problem in capital expenditure has not improved," he said. Of the Rs. 10 billion
allocated for the fast-track this fiscal year, only Rs. 1.2 million has been spent in the first
quarter of the fiscal. Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Jeevan Bahadur
Shahi has said lack of coordination among the line ministries has obstructed the
construction of the Nijgadh international airport. Commitment to meet required funds
Finance Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara expressed the commitment to ensure funds for
the national pride projects including the Tarai-Madhesh fast track and the Nijgadh
international airport. "The problem however is not lack of funds but inability to spend it.
The problem in capital expenditure has not improved," he said. Of the Rs. 10 billion
allocated for the fast-track this fiscal year, only Rs. 1.2 million has been spent in the first
quarter of the fiscal. Nijgadh international airport Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil
Aviation Jeevan Bahadur Shahi has said lack of coordination among the line ministries has
obstructed the construction of the Nijgadh international airport.
 14

As like in the previous working mechanism Nepali Army will search for the labours and
Contractor. They will allocate the task to contractor by giving them the length they have to
complete in time and by watching the completion of task the army will provide them the
money that the government has given them.

4.3 Brief Study and Planning

Nepali Army engineer and various formation has done survey in order to find out the
proper construction plan, for the purpose of short listing the eligible, qualified Consulting
Firms for Geotechnical Investigation (surface Soil) Investigation for the design of bridge,
flyover, grade separated intersection including preliminary design has already finished
Alternative sites shall be studied based on 3.2.1 and the most suitable site for the bridge
based on the above criteria of the site. The selected site should be clearly indicated in the
map and all the characteristic features of the chosen site shall be given, in order to facilitate
easy reference while designing the 0relevant structures. The consultant shall predict
damages to the Environment and attempt to mitigate or minimize the damages by choosing
appropriate site, cross-section, type of structures etc. and suggest appropriate measures in
the design for protection of surrounding Environment.

Availability of construction materials like, sand gravel boulders, timber, etc. with their
engineering properties, quantities and lead up to the bridge site, quarry site of materials
with their available quantities should be shown on a sketch plan with reference to Bridge
site. Depth of soil exploration the depth of soil exploration from ground level shall be as
follows: the foundation footing, or 16 m, the above mentioned depths are indicative. The
Consultant shall decide the actual required depth of soil investigation according to the field
condition and design parameters. But in any case the Consultant shall be paid only up to the
depth mentioned in the Bill of Quantities. If rock is found at the beginning or at mid-depth
then the drilling works shall not exceed the depth as mentioned in the table above. In such
case the payment shall be made only for the actual depth. For example, if rock is found at a
depth of 12 m. and if the maximum required depth is 16 m, then drilling shall continue only
for further 4 m., and the payment shall be done for 16 m. If rock is exposed on the surface
then drilling shall be done up to a depth of 8 m., and the payment shall be done for 8 m.
But if the thickness of rock at the surface is 6 m then the drilling shall continue further to
the required maximum depth (mopit, 2017).The combat engineers battalion
Kalisiddhi ,Kalibox ,Kalibhanjan and Kalishakti with the strength of a company each has
 15

been deployed in a five different post established by Nepal Army and remaining 4 are of
Bikash Nirman battalion.

CHAPTER V

CHALLENGES IN COMPLETING FAST TRACK

5.1 Difficult Terrain

The terrain around the way where fast track is going to be constructed is of semi-
mountaneous and hilly terrain along with the plain land of terai. The construction of road
through the chure range is comparatively difficult . Apart from this the presence of small
rivulets in which water level rise up during rainy season is another obstacle. Not only this
the soil formation of construction side itself is a challenge. The construction of 4 lanes of
road on the hilly region is considerably one of the most difficult task. The presence of
rocky hills situsted at the boarder of lalitpur and makwanpur is also a challenging task.
Apart from this the consturction of expressway near the chure range is dangerous that even
can may result in the loss of life during construction.

5.2 Support of Local Population

The popular support is another obstacle. The road passses through the land that belongs to
local people.so to ensure the local population that they have been given sufficient
compensatation is also a challenge during construction of fast track. Another growing
concern of local population is that are enough safety measures have been applied while
constructing the road so that the people of that particular area can travel without any
botherance about the accidents. It should also be ensured that by only maximum
participation of local population we can construct fast track within given time frame.

5.3 Quality of Constuction Materials

The fast track is expected to complete distance of 76 km just in a hour.so NA should

prioritez use of excellent quality of construction material. All of those material for
construction is not available within our country so while purching those materials quality
should be given top priority. The construction of tunnel is one of the challenging task that
requires high quality of materials. By using the quality products only, we can make an
exemplary express way.
 16

5.4 New Construction Equipments

In order to construct the expressway within 4 years the avaibility of construction materials
is very challenging. All we need is additional construction equipments such as
dozers,excavators,dump trucks,trippers,roller,graders etc.not only this for construction of
bridges and culverts we require extra heavy construction equipments. For the construction
of the tunnel we need the special equipments which we don’t have currently. Therefore
new construction materials should be use.

5.5 Natural Calamities

The fast tracks runs through the hilly region to the lower plain lands of nepal. Thus,
construction of roads through the hilly region often results into the triggering of natural
calamat ies such as landslide. Another strong reason is that the loose siol form of chure
range can results into the frequent natural valamities along the expresway. The presence of
small rivulets that turns into river during rainy season are also factors for distrubances on
this fast tracks.Thus while constructing this expressway the mitigation of these factors
should be account .

5.6 Design

During the cconstruction of the road that will have 99 bridges, 160 culverts and one 1.356-
km-long tunnel. Before this, NA has never worked for construction of such long tunnel.
The construction needs more qualified man powers who are well educate to operate all
these kinds of machines and technologies. The construction of 99 bridges is also one of the
challenging tasks. Thus in order to shorten the distance, the given design consists of
numbers of bridges & a tunnel.

5.7 Interest of neighbouring countries

Nepal abruptly cancelled all agreements with the Indian construction firm ILFS to build a
76-kilometre-long fast track road, connecting the Nepalese capital with the southern Terai
region near the Indian border. The surprise move to cancel the agreements with
Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Ltd came after a meeting of the development
and finance committees of legislature-parliament. Minister for physical planning and
 17

infrastructure development, Ramesh Lekhak said the government was committed to

complete the $ 1 billion project with domestic resources. “Now all bodies concerned should
make decision standing together in course of taking the nation’s pride project ahead,”
Lekhak was quoted as saying. He said the government has tabled a proposal with the
Cabinet for constructing the road with own investment. The fast-track road would connect
Kathmandu to Nijgadh in the southern Terai region, where a new international airport has
been planned. ILFS had already prepared a detailed report for the project that would have
reduced the travel time from Kathmandu to Nijgadh to under an hour. According to a
feasibility report prepared by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in 2014, the road
project was estimated to cost $ 960 million. The latest DPR has given a price tag of $ 1,117
million, reports have said. During the International Conference on Nepal’s Reconstruction
held in June last year, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj had asked the Himalayan
country to allow India to develop the fast-track road and the international airport in
Nijgadh. Previously, the KP Sharma Oli government had decided that the road project
would be constructed by Nepal, instead of providing the contract to the Indian company.
On Sunday, finance minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara expressed commitment to ensure
funds for “national pride projects” including the Tarai-Madhesh fast track and the Nijgadh
international airport. The problem however is not lack of funds but inability to spend it.
The problem in capital expenditure has not improved,” he said. Chairperson of
development committee Rabindra Adhikari, chair of finance minister Prakash Jwala,
member Surendra Bahadur Pandey, Keshav Badal and others spoke of the need for unity
among all the political parties to move ahead with the Nijgadh International Airport project
and the Kathmandu-Tarai fast track road project. They suggested the government to
allocate all the unspent budget every fiscal year for the fast track road project and complete
it in a fast-track manner, the report said (wikipedia, 2017).

6.8 Political Interference

Parliamentary Finance Committee has formed a sub-committee headed by lawmaker

Kamala Pant to conduct study on financial, physical and technical aspects of Kathmandu-
Nijgadh Fast Track Project. After the government’s plan to award the project contract to
Indian consortium of Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) Transportation
Networks, IL&FS Engineering and Construction, and Suryavir Infrastructure Construction
landed in controversy, the parliamentary committee formed the panel to conduct study and
 18

submit its report to the committee. Other members of the committee are lawmakers Keshav
Badal, Garima Shah, Gopal Dahit, Jagadishwor Narsingh K.C., Bikram Pandey and Shakti
Basnet, a press release of the committee stated. The sub-committee has been mandated to
fix its coordinator by itself. The sub-committee will hold discussion with experts and
technicians and will submit the report within 15 days. Ministry of Physical Infrastructure
and Transport said that it has concluded negotiation with Indian Consortium Company
under which Nepal will finance the developer worth $750 million with additional grant of
$150 million. However, the provision of government financing the Indian developer has
drawn criticism from some politicians and experts with former Prime Minister Baburam
Bhattrai leading the protest against the plan. Meanwhile, Indian government has assured to
provide additional dedicated line of credit for the project after the government made
request for the same. Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Bimalendra Nidhi
told the lawmakers that the project was strategically important for Nepal and its
construction would be started as soon as possible. He added that the expressway project
was complementary to the proposed Second International Airport (SIA) in Nijgadh. A
detailed feasibility study of the SIA has shown that the fast track should be completed at
least six months before work is started on the airport. Presently, it takes five hours to reach
Nijgadh from Kathmandu. A study conducted by the Indian team has shown that the
expressway will slash travel time to one hour. Nidhi explained to the lawmakers that the
government had cautiously dealt with a number of issues amid criticism that the fast track
project was being offered to an Indian Firm. “The project reflects the government’s
commitment and strategy to attract foreign direct investment,” he said. He added that the
government had twice called for global bids to build the expressway, but there were no
takers. “An Indian company stepped forward during the third call for bids, and it matched
our requirements,” Nidhi said. And Indian consortium consisting of Infrastructure Leasing
and Financial Services (IL&FS) Transportation Networks, IL&FS Engineering and
Construction and Suryavir Infrastructure Construction has been in talks with the
government, and is likely to bag the 76-km express high-way project. These are the same
companies which have developed the detailed project report of the roadway project. As per
the report, the four-lane fast track will be built as per the primary Asian standard with room
for expanding it to six lanes in the future. The road will have a minimum speed limit of 65
km per hour and maximum speed limit of 120 km per hour. The project will cost Rs112
billion including value added tax. According to project head Satendra Shakya, the road
will yield a profit of 23 percent annually if the SIA is built. “If not, there will be profit of
 19

14.3 percent, which is still better than the average of 12 percent,” Shakya said, adding that
the project was bankable even if the airport isn’t constructed. National Planning
Commission Vice-Chairman Govinda Raj Pokhrel said that bringing foreign direct
investment is a must for such projects, as it would result in the transfer of knowhow and
expertise to Nepal is. Regarding the toll that motorists would be charged, the government
said that it was an acceptable amount. According to officials, the developer will charge
Rs1600 per car, Rs3100 per bus, Rs4600 per heavy truck and Rs800 per two-wheelers to
use the motorway as per the agreement with the Indian consortium. However, some
officials said that the fee would be second highest in the world after Japan. Physical
Infrastructure and Transport Ministry Secretary Tulsi Prasad Sitaula said that the toll
sounds too high, but it would be applied only after the project is completed. “After five
years, it won’t seem so expensive.

5.9 Labor Management and Allocation of Task

Eight years after search for a developer to build the road began, the government has finally
become confident that resource to execute was necessary and it should be given to own
national contractors and labours But as the government decision to award the project to an
Indian firm is sub-judice, the government will have to wait till the Supreme Court issues
verdict in the case. On the case of labour management and local people contractor. Nepali
Army has decided on giving tasks to the local contractor who can easily search for their
own labours and can manage easily on themselves the only thing that Nepali Army has to
do is give allotted money or salary to allotted persons at allotted time so that works can,
Though the Second International Airport in Nijgadh of Bara is interconnected with the
expressway, the policy and programs is silent on the airport project. Likewise, the
government has announced to upgrade Kakarbhitta-Butwal section of East-West Highway
into a four-lane road. However, the decision has drawn criticism from infrastructure
experts. “It is an irrational decision as traffic on this section is very low. I don't see it
growing significantly in coming years as well," Surya Raj Acharya, an infrastructure policy
expert, told Republica. Acharya stressed the need to build north-south roads instead.
Experts have also questioned the rationale of spending taxpayers' money in East-West
Railway Project. The Bardiwas-Simara section of the project is already under construction.
The policy and programs document states that north-south road projects are in priority. But
it has not specified any road projects as such. The document also states that district
 20

headquarters of Dolpa and Humla will be connected to national road network within two
years. Similarly, it also states that all the roads connecting province headquarters will be
upgraded into two-lane sandall"Likewise, a special irrigation program focused on 22
districts of Tarai and inner Tarai will be implemented besides continuing other irrigation
projects," the document states. So in order to complete all the tasks Nepali Army should
focus on searching for the good companies to search for the good labour and manpowers.
 21

CHAPTER VI

STEPS TO TACKLE ALL PROBLEMS

6.1 From Government Perspective

Presently, it takes five hours to reach Nijgadh from Kathmandu. A study conducted by the
Indian team has shown that the expressway will slash travel time to one hour. Nidhi
explained to the lawmakers that the government had cautiously dealt with a number of
issues amid criticism that the fast track project was being offered to an Indian firm. “The
project reflects the government’s commitment and strategy to attract foreign direct
investment,” he said. He added that the government had twice called for global bids to
build the expressway, but there were no takers. An Indian consortium consisting of
Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) Transportation Networks, IL&FS
Engineering and Construction and Suryavir Infrastructure Construction has been in talks
with the government, and is likely to bag the 76-km express high-way project. These are
the same companies which have developed the detailed project report of the roadway
project. As per the report, the four-lane fast track will be built as per the primary Asian
standard with room for expanding it to six lanes in the future. The road will have a
minimum speed limit of 65 km per hour and maximum speed limit of 120 km per hour. The
project will cost Rs112 billion including value added tax. According to project head
Satendra Shakya, the road will yield a profit of 23 percent annually if the SIA is built. “If
not, there will be profit of 14.3 percent, which is still better than the average of 12 percent,”
Shakya said, adding that the project was bankable even if the airport isn’t constructed.
National Planning Commission Vice-Chairman Govinda Raj Pokhrel said that bringing
foreign direct investment is a must for such projects, as it would result in the transfer of
knowhow and expertise to Nepali. Regarding the toll that motorists would be charged, the
government said that it was an acceptable amount. According to officials, the developer
will charge Rs1600 per car, Rs3,100 per bus, Rs4,600 per heavy truck and Rs800 per two-
wheelers to use the motorway as per the agreement with the Indian consortium. However,
some officials said that the fee would be second highest in the world after Japan. Physical
Infrastructure and Transport Ministry Secretary Tulsi Prasad Sitaula said that the toll
sounds too high, but it would be applied only after the project is completed. “After five
 22

years, it won’t seem so expensive.” The Ministry of Finance has stated that the government
should find other sources to finance the Kathmandu-Nijgadh Fast Track project as the $1
billion line of credit pledged by the Indian government would not be sufficient. Madhu
Kumar Marashini, joint secretary at the ministry, said since a large portion of the pledged
amount was a grant, it won’t be sufficient for the project anyway. The detailed project
report (DPR) of the mega highway project. The proposed 76-km expressway will link the
Capital with Nijgadh in the southern plains where a Second International Airport (SIA) is
also planned to be built. The DPR was prepared by an Indian consortium consisting of
Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) Transportation Networks, IL&FS
Engineering and Construction and Suryavir Infrastructure Construction. The combine is
also likely to bag the construction contract for the project. Officials said that the earlier
estimated travel time had been slashed due to enhanced standards of the highway.
Technicians had previously projected that it would take 1 hour 15 minutes to traverse the
distance. Vehicles plying the expressway will have to cruise between a minimum speed of
65 kmph and a maximum speed of 120 kmph.

6.2 From Army Perspective

Terai Madhesh Fast Track or Kathmandu Terai Fast Track, a most talked and hyped recent
topic in Nepal. Being first mega road project in the country, it certainly has some serious
concerns and issues in Nepal this project has now become political issues and as well as
concerns of India and Nepal bilateral relations. Many questions have raised around this
multimillion mega project.Why has it attracted so much attention? Isn’t it a just road
development project? Why it becomes a national sensation? Why political parties are so
divided and fighting over it? Don’t you think something extra or beyond ordinary here? NA
is trying to give you in sight of this ongoing issue. Kathmandu Terai-Madhesh Fast Track
is strategic road development for Nepal. It is multi-million projects with standard of the
expressway. Many parties have been eyeing on this project because of its strategic as well
as monetary value. Kathmandu Terai fast track connects Kathmandu with Madesh (plain
region of Nepal) with high-speed road which has serious economic and political
implications. Technically speaking,Kathmandu can travel to Terai in just an hour,
something amazing if you know current scenario (Shakya, 2017). The vehicle can travel up
to 120km per hour, which is not seen before in this country.People from Madhes/Terai will
have easy reach to capital which may help to reduce socio-political issues with Kathmandu
 23

too.Around 76km Kathmandu Madhesh fast track is not new by idea, many years ago it
was dreamt, proposed and initiated in the paper. However, now there is a national
consensus that it has to be made but contention in how it is going to be made. This road
project connects eastern development region to capital city in the shortest way at least
bringing 4 hours closer, pushing cities like Birjung, Nijgadh, Hetauda into urbanization,
Which can counter high population growth of Kathmandu and eventually shift to these
cities. This Fast-track also brings Birjung, Nepali trade point to India, closer to the Chinese
border. Which eventually can lead to dream of tri-nation(Nepal-India-China) trade point
one day.There will be seven bridges on the expressway. As per the DPR, the expressway
will have provisions for a fire controlling mechanism, medical support post, ambulance,
traffic support post, crane and diversions or alternative points in the tunnel. Outside the
tunnel, the highway will feature telecommunication systems at intervals of 2 km to provide
information about accidents and monitor traffic. There will also be three helipads along the
highway. Moreover, the government aims to develop the project in way that will facilitate
the construction of other infrastructure in the future. According to Shakya, the government
can lay drinking water pipes, telecommunication optical fibres, gas pipelines and electricity
transmission lines using the land acquired by the government for the road project. As per a
feasibility report prepared by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in 2014, the road
project was estimated to cost $960 million. The main motive behind keeping the travel time
at around an hour is to make sure that the SIA being developed in Nijgadh is feasible. It
might annoy travelers if it takes more than an hour to travel to Kathmandu from Nijgadh
said Shakya, adding that the assurance that the expressway would connect Kathmandu in
less than an hour would help the airport project. The Fast Track project’s DPR also states
that the express highway will be built as per the Primary Class of the new Asian Highway
Standard. The Asian Highway Standard has been classified into four categories, Primary,
Class I, Class II and Class III. The Primary Class refers to access-controlled motorways
used exclusively by automobiles. Access to the motorway is at grade-separated
interchanges only.

6.3 DPR (Detail Project Report) Issue

On Sept 18; A South Korean Consultancy Company has been selected to prepare detailed
Project Report (DPR) of the Kathmandu-Terai Madhesh Fast-Track project, a mega project
of national pride and strategic importance. The Nepal Army (NA) had earlier assigned an
 24

Indian company named IL and FS but it did not agree with the cost of the report prepared
by the Indian company. Hence, the South Korean company, Soosung has been assigned to
prepare the DPR for the 76-kilometre fast-track highway project.The Project Chief and
Major General Yogendra Bahadur Khand shared that construction . agreement would be
made between the South Korean company chosen to prepare DPR for the estimated Rs 111
billion-project and the NA by the end of September .The preparation cost of DPR as
demanded by the Indian company was Rs 510 million higher than what it has been agreed
with the South Korean company - at Rs 100.15 million, informed Project Chief Khand.The
South Korean company is committed to prepare DPR within four months of the purchase
agreement with the NA.It has been 13 months since the NA was entrusted with the
responsibility to manage the construction of the Fast Track. The NA has been carrying on
the basic and preliminary works relating to the Fast Track based on the feasibility study
conducted by the Asian Development Bank in 2008.This has also created a some sorts of
disputes between the diplomatic relationship between Nepal and India .Indian company is
asking for the compensation for the government of Nepal where as Nepal government and
Nepal Army are against it .The national pride project fast track called as “EXPRESS WAY
“by Nepal army may be one of the main issue for the intervention in Nepal by the two
giants nation India and China .

The people of Khokana are against the compensation offered by the government of
Nepal .Different table talk has been going on and the issues has been a politically supported
by different parties. Government has made another plan to divert the Bagmati river and
continue the construction for the completion of road on given time.
 25

CHAPTER VII

FINDINGS CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

7.1 Findings

The overall finding on the research was that the fast track that Nepali Army took was to
develop the nation’s infrastructure and nation as overall. Nepali Army has utilized its
resources in a right place. Because as we can see from the historical background military
organization has shown its interest on these kinds of things like road building, construction
of bridges, hydropower construction etc. But I have found that the interest of army on these
kind of construction has been likely created controversies on different subject matter. The
citizen and journalist has criticized the recent activities by saying Nepali Army has entered
into commercialization and business, but from research I have found it is not only the
commercialization but it is the strategically and analytical view of higher commands
because as we can see there has been a lot of problems in insurgency period due to lack of
transportation and public support so we can say army can achieve both public sympathy as
well as ease in advance in upcoming future problems. And if we see the money and
business part it will be useful for Nepali Army in order to increase its strength and
formations. Because the current economic standard of Nepali Army can’t sustain the more
strength than the present strength that is nearly one lakh. Almost two years after the
promulgation of the constitution, the Nepali Army has federated its organization as per the
federal set up by establishing divisional headquarters in all seven provinces and deployed
Major Generals at all the seven divisional headquarters of the seven provinces as Division
Commander.

The deployment was made as per its federal structure, the NA said.
The Army Directorate of Public Relations and Information (DPRI) informed that there
were now seven Divisional Headquarters in the seven provinces and one in the Kathmandu
Valley. Therefore Kathmandu Nijgadh fast track is not only the business purpose but it is
good platform for all citizen as well as army to create good relation among them.
 26

7.2 Conclusion

As government had decided to give fast track project to Nepali Army, Abandoning its
earlier decision to develop the Kathmandu-Terai fast-track road project under the public-
private partnership (PPP) model. The ministry is planning to take a soft loan from the
World Bank for the project. The fast-track road is projected to cost Rs100bn .The four-lane
project is intended to link Nepal’s capital with Terai and other southern border areas,
cutting down travel time to four hours, which otherwise takes around eight hours. Army
however will have to face a lot of challenges, it has its own planning and working
methodology. Army has already started to build its posts and small formation along the
road sides and started to work already. Since all of the initial road building or digging has
completed they have started on progressing the previous track into a fast track by
increasing its work rapidly on those sector. The ultimate aim is to provide good road to
travel the vehicles in a smooth way. The public vehicle without permission will not be
allowed to enter into the fast track so it will just not be the completion of test by
completing the track there will be other problems as well because aside the road there are
various problems like providing the better environment to travel the vehicle by that road
without any problems. There is no doubt that Nepali Army will accomplish its task but the
question is that how much efficient will be this track and how much favorable will be this
track to moving vehicles.The main objective of this study was to identify the impacts of
proposed project implementation on physical, biological, socio-economic and cultural
environment of the project area and propose mitigation measures to avoid or mitigate such
impacts. Primary information collection and secondary data review was the source of data
with cross sectional descriptive study design. Data was taken purposively in the project
affected area. Length of 72.6 km fast track from Kathmandu – Lalitpur-Makawanpur and
up to Nijgadh in Bara district to link with the East West Highway will be of four lanes with
50 m on each side. The project was proposed to have 96 bridges big or small; 1.6 km long
tunnel will be built in Thingan of Makawanpur on public-private partnership. It had
projected costs of more than NRs 250 million. The impacts on land use will be on about
30km of agricultural land, 43km of forests and about 3km of other land uses, bridges etc. in
the main alignment. The impacts on human life will mainly be in villages near the
alignment. There are 38 villages within about 50m of the main alignment. The project can
be continued with minimum of environmental degradation by applying the mitigation
 27

measures. Nation has been investing a lot of resources. Upon the completion of the fast
track, the distance and time to reach the capital city from Terai will come down to only 1.5
hours and will transform the capital, eastern Terai and the country as a whole.

7.3 Recommendation

I would like to recommend the researcher and those whoever wants to study about the
Kathmandu-Nijgadh fast track by Nepali Army that It is not the first time that Nepali Army
has done these kinds of developmental projects. By taking part into these kinds of work it
would be beneficial to both Nepali Army as well as nation so it would be good to take part
in those kinds of activities so that both the citizens as well as the army organization would
get benefits from the work similarly talking about challenge to be face by Nepali Army I
would like to recommend that it would be good to remain stable and out from the political
participation and remain out of the political organization so that there would be efficient
and smooth running in the phase of construction of Kathmandu- Nijgadh fast track. Not
only in present situation but also on future tasks like these Nepali Army should be careful
on solving the problems that may arise during the construction phases. Nepali Army should
also focus on not to get caught on media attention because there may be propaganda like
the present time on different related topics. If there is a false propaganda on the working
mechanism of Nepali Army .Then it would show the bad influences on the citizen sides,
because Nepali Army has got its pride and prestige on its working mechanism so there
shouldn’t be any disorder in doing and completing tasks.
 28

REFERENCES
Nepali Sainik. (2017). Nepali Sainik. Retrieved November 4, 2017, from Nepal army in
national Development: 1. http://nepalisainik.blogspot.com/2008/11/nepal-army-in-national-
development.html

1 Ropani. (2017, October). 1 Ropani. Retrieved November 4, 2017, from KTM-Nijgadh

fast track: http://www.1ropani.com/News/Default.aspx?
ID=215&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

ekantipur. (2017, May 4). The Kathmandu Post . Retrieved November 4, 2017, from Govt
decides to hand over Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track to NA:
http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/tag/fast+track

Madhesh Vani. (2017, May 29). Voice of Madhes. Retrieved November 4, 2017, from Fast
track will remove Differences between Madhesh, Pahad and Himal : PM Dahal:
http://madheshvani.com/en/details/8983/madhesh-update

My Republica. (2017, February 11). my Republica . Retrieved November 4, 2017, from

Kathmandu-Tarai fast-track construction in one and a half months: PM Dahal:
http://www.myrepublica.com/news/14744/

Nepali Army. (2016). Nepali Army. Retrieved November 4, 2017, from NA Beyond
Primary Duties: http://www.nepalarmy.mil.np/bpd.php?page

Nepali Sainik. (2017). Nepali Sainik. Retrieved November 4, 2017, from Nepal army in
national Development: 1. http://nepalisainik.blogspot.com/2008/11/nepal-army-in-national-
development.html

The Himalayan Times. (2017, September 24). The Himalayan Times. Retrieved November
4, 2017, from Kathmandu-Nijgadh fast track will be completed in time: Defence Minister:
https://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/449581/