Open track this year, build it under BOT: PM

KATHAMNDU, Jan 22: Breaking the lingering impasse over the implementation modality of the proposed Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track, Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai has directed to adopt Build, Operate & Transfer (BOT) model and complete the remaining work of the expressway within the current fiscal year.



PM Bhattarai´s instruction in favor of BOT model comes amid persisting uncertainty in the implementation of the four-lane super-highway. [break]



Earlier, Minister for Physical Planning and Works Hridayesh Tripati publicly announced to explore different options to execute the project, not favoring the BOT model adopted by the government.



PM Bhattarai, who was on the site to inspect the progress of one of the national priority projects on Saturday in Makawanpur, directed minister Tripathi and secretaries including senior officials of the Ministry of Finance (MoF), the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works (MoPPW) and Regional Administrator to ensure a smooth implementation of the multi-billion rupee project.



"The PM has directed us to adopt BOT model in the presence of our minister. We have also been instructed to complete the track opening works by the end of this fiscal year," Tulasi Prasad Sitaula, secretary at MoPPW, told Republica on Saturday.



The Nepal Army (NA) and MoPPW officials briefed the PM on the work in progress on the the proposed 76-km expressway that connects the capital with the Tarai in the shortest possible distance.



The NA, which has been entrusted to complete the track opening works, informed the PM that 42 km out of the total length of the superhighway has already been opened so far.



In the current budget, the government has allocated Rs 680 million for the project including Rs 340 million for land acquisition and remaining for track opening. The government already released Rs 46 million last year to the Makawanpur District Administration Office, which is responsible for land acquisition for the project in the district as per the Land Acquisition Act 1977.



However, the amount couldn´t be distributed due to disputes over land price between project officials and local people.



"Keeping in view that any further delay in compensation distribution would drive up the compensation amount in coming days, we have demanded additional Rs 590 million from MoF. MoF is positive to provide at least half of the money," said Sitaula.



According to Sitaula, the PM has also directed the MoF not to let the fast-track project face budget crunch to get it timely implemented.

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