KATHMANDU, Feb 17: Prime Minister Sushila Karki has directed officials to temporarily set aside the dispute over the Khokana entry point of the Kathmandu–Terai/Madhes Fast Track and move ahead by identifying an alternative alignment.
During a high-level meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday, PM Karki said the nationally important project should not remain stalled due to prolonged disputes. She instructed authorities to revise the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and determine an entry point where consensus can be achieved.
Prime Minister Karki said delays in large infrastructure projects increase the financial burden on the state and stressed the need to expedite construction. She noted that while efforts should continue to resolve disputes, alternative options must be pursued if an immediate solution is not possible.
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The Khokana area has remained contentious due to concerns related to religious, cultural and archaeological heritage, which have affected progress on the project.
The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Rameshwar Khanal, Law Minister Anil Kumar Sinha, Physical Infrastructure and Transport Minister Madhav Chaulagain, Vice-chair of the National Planning Commission Prakash Kumar Shrestha, Chief of Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel and senior officials.
Nepali Army briefed the meeting on the project’s current status, challenges and the support required from the government.
Earlier, during a site inspection on January 27, PM Karki had emphasized the need to respect local concerns and cultural sensitivities while advancing the project.
