KATHMANDU, August 11: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has laid emphasis on completing the Kathmandu-Terai/ Madhesh Fast Track at the earliest time possible.
PM Deuba, who is also looking after the Defense Ministry, stressed on the need to speed up the construction of the shortest route to connect Terai with Kathmandu.
Deuba made the remarks while addressing the fourth quarterly and annual progress review of the Ministry of Defense in the fiscal year 2021/22 and a meeting of the ministry-level development problem solving committee.
"Keeping with the working efficiency of the Nepal Army, the national pride project like Kathmandu-Terai-Madhesh Fast Track has been taken ahead with the national army on board for its management," Deuba said. In the meeting, PM Deuba further noted, "It is necessary to complete the construction of the fast track at the earliest time possible."
Saying that the defense ministry is the agency bearing the very sensitive responsibility of national defense, he said the ministry has the working areas related to the country's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity.
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Citing the reference of escalating tensions in the regional and international security environment, PM Deuba stressed that overall national security policy should not be undermined amidst the security challenges propping up at national and international areas.
Prime Minister Deuba also pointed out the need for all the security agencies, including Nepal Army to not allow any weaknesses in the security environment and cautiously carry out the development and economic activities in an uninterrupted way by keeping intact people's lives and freedoms.
Prime Minister Deuba lauded the NA's contribution to the disaster risk reduction, prevention of COVID-19 outbreak and lifeless body management during pandemic.
Similarly, Vice-Chair of the National Planning Commission Bishwo Nath Poudel pointed out the need of completing the construction of fast-track as billions of rupees would be saved in fuel if it could be completed soon.
He urged the bodies concerned to pay attention in construction of roads in Humla as roads in the district are important.
Poudel also asked the Nepali Army to pay special attention to the security of the park and save the lives of the citizens.
Likewise, Chief Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi stressed the need of carrying out construction of important projects without any delay.
Drawing attention towards the possibility of taking huge financial benefits by the country from fast-track as it is the project of great importance, he said such projects should be completed even after making mechanisms.
On the occasion, Defense Secretary Kiran Raj Sharma shared that 61.97 percent of capital and 65.05 percent physical progress have been achieved while analyzing the integrated form of the Ministry and subordinate bodies.
Chief of Army Staff Prabhu Ram Sharma said the NA has been trying to complete the fast-track on time, adding some problems have surfaced due to various reasons—lack of access road, risky area, geographical environment.
Joint-Secretary Baburam Adhikari presented a progress report of the Ministry in the meeting.
(RSS)
