Kathmandu: Ministry of Defence has reported that several national priority road corridors and infrastructure projects under the management of the Nepal Army achieved full progress in fiscal year 2024/25, though the much-anticipated Kathmandu–Tarai/Madhes Expressway continues to face delays.
According to Defence Ministry spokesperson Manoj Kumar Acharya, the Koshi Corridor, Karnali Corridor, Mahakali Corridor, and Benighat–Arughat–Larke Road Project all met their annual targets with 100 percent progress. These strategic roads, considered vital for enhancing national connectivity and defence logistics, were successfully advanced despite difficult terrain and logistical challenges.
In addition to these road projects, the Army also achieved planned outcomes on the National Defence University, the Chure–Tarai Madhes Conservation Program, and the Bunker-to-Barracks Programme, which focuses on modernizing military infrastructure across the country.
Among the National Pride Projects, the Kathmandu–Tarai/Madhes Fast Track (Expressway) continues to lag behind. By the end of fiscal 2024/25, the project had reached only 67.5 percent physical progress, well below its target.
Defence Ministry cited problems in land acquisition on Package 11, covering 6.5 km from the expressway’s starting point, as the key bottleneck. Unresolved disputes regarding the project’s starting point and vehicle access decisions also prevented the Army from meeting annual targets for physical works.
The Army detailed several notable construction accomplishments including Koshi Corridor (Khandbari–Kimathanka Section): 10.51 km of new track opened in the Chyamthang–Ghongghappa stretch. Likewise, Karnali Corridor: 2.5 km new track completed in Ghatparichaur–Badrigaun–Bhukkakhola section. 11 km of track opened in Lali Bagar–Dullikuna section. 200 metre roads constructed at Bokche Gauda and Bhir Gauda, 400 metre at Yangchu Bhir. A Bailey bridge completed at Chuwa Khola, Kharpunath.
Similarly, Benighat–Arughat–Larke Road: 2.5 km of new track completed; road widening at Tatopani Bhir also finished as per target. Regarding Mahakali Corridor (Darchula–Tinker Road), 17.5 km of track already completed up to last fiscal.
In 2024/25, an additional 2.3 km of new track was constructed, exceeding the annual target of 1.8 km, along with 1.2 km of track upgrades.
Building roads in Nepal’s rugged terrain has come at a high human cost. Defence Ministry disclosed that 108 Nepal Army personnel have attained martyrdom while working on road infrastructure projects.
Breakdown of casualties includes 12 in Trishuli–Somdang Road, seven in Katari–Okhaldhunga Road, 18 in Beni–Jomsom Road, 62 in Karnali Highway (Surkhet–Jumla), one in Nagma–Gamgadhi Road, three in Besisahar–Chame Road, and one in Jajarkot–Dolpa Road.
Additionally, 24 civilian workers lost their lives during construction works.
At present, four soldiers have died in ongoing works along the Karnali Corridor, while 28 civilian workers have lost their lives in other under-construction projects.
Under the Bunker-to-Barracks Programme, the Army completed 73 new structures in the last fiscal year. However, a large backlog remains, with 1,995 structures still to be built across the country.
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