Nepal Govt to Bypass Khokana Dispute for Expressway Progress

Nepal's government is moving forward with the Kathmandu-Tarai Expressway, opting to bypass a persistent dispute in Khokana that has stalled construction for years. The Farsidol-Dukuchhap section will now be prioritized, with a revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) to include the construction of two bridges and a toll plaza.

Construction on the initial 6.5-kilometer stretch at Khokana has been halted due to unresolved land acquisition issues and local opposition. Instead of waiting for these complex negotiations to conclude, officials have decided to proceed with the adjacent segment. This strategic shift aims to prevent further indefinite delays to the crucial infrastructure project.

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The starting point of the expressway has not changed. It remains exactly where it was identified in the original DPR.

The revised DPR, currently with the Ministry of Defence, needs approval from the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. The plan to build bridges and a toll plaza on the Farsidol-Dukuchhap section was first proposed years ago, but faced bureaucratic hurdles. Discussions on the revised design are ongoing before the proposal returns to the Cabinet.

Managed by the Nepali Army since 2017, the 70.977-kilometer expressway project has encountered significant challenges. Geological studies also revealed that the original alignment through a landslide-prone area below Dukuchhap could destabilize the surrounding settlement. The redesigned alignment, crossing the Bagmati River via a bridge, requires less land and avoids costly landslide mitigation measures, according to military officials.

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The bridge requires less land acquisition and eliminates the need for costly landslide mitigation measures. The revised DPR includes two bridges in the Dukuchhap area.