Kathmandu-Tarai Expressway Likely to Miss Revised Deadline Again

The ambitious Kathmandu-Tarai Expressway project faces significant delays and is unlikely to be completed by its revised deadline of mid-April 2027. Officials report that only 48 percent of the physical work has been accomplished, pointing to persistent challenges that threaten to extend the construction timeline further.

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Discussions are underway. The deadline must be extended by at least two to three years, otherwise the work cannot be completed.

The primary obstacles stem from an unresolved dispute concerning a 6.5-kilometer section in Khokana, Lalitpur. The government has yet to finalize decisions regarding a proposed toll plaza at Pharsidol, leading to a complete halt in construction activities in the area. Compounding these issues, the detailed project report for the Khokana section has not been revised, further impeding progress.

Arjun Jung Thapa, a member of the National Planning Commission, acknowledged the inevitability of another deadline extension. He stated that discussions are ongoing, and the project will require an additional two to three years for completion. Thapa also emphasized the need to pressure contractors who are not meeting efficiency standards to accelerate construction.

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At the same time, the project office must pressure contractors who are not working efficiently to speed up construction.

Despite these setbacks, officials are optimistic that at least a portion of the four-lane expressway could become operational within the next two years. However, the resolution of the Khokana section dispute and the approval of the revised detailed project report are critical steps that hinge on governmental decisions, which have been pending for an extended period.

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The decision on extending the project deadline is linked to the DPR revision. Once the revision is approved, further discussions will determine how much time needs to be added.