The construction of the 'fast track' to connect the hilly districts of the Far West with the Terai has not gained momentum. Despite being a major issue in every parliamentary election, the construction work has not gained momentum.

The goal is to reduce the distance between the hills and the Terai by half by constructing the Dhangadhi-Khutia-Dipayal-Chainpur-Urai Bhanjyang (fast track) route. The project has not gained momentum even after two decades of its launch.

The target is to extend the route starting from Dhangadhi-Hasanpur in Kailali via Khutia, Bpinagar, Dipayal in Doti, Chainpur in Bajhang to the China border at Urai Bhanjyang.

So far, work is being done on only a limited section of the route. Project Chief Engineer Shashank Mishra informed that 20 kilometers from Khutia to Bpinagar and 13 kilometers from Dipayal to Bpinagar are being blacktopped.

According to him, blacktopping has been completed on the Hasanpur-Khutia section. Apart from this, 7 bridges are under construction. The target is to complete the construction of 5 of them within the current year. Construction work from Dipayal to Chainpur has not started yet. The project was launched with the aim of reducing the distance between the hills and the Terai and connecting remote areas to the national road network. The current Dhangadhi-Dipayal road is 180 kilometers.

As an alternative to that road, the Khutiya-Dipayal expressway was completed and the track was opened in 2064. Initially, 82 kilometers were surveyed from Khutiya to Dipayal. Then 10 kilometers were added from Syaule in Kailali to Dhangadhi. Then it was decided to build a 92-kilometer expressway from Dhangadhi to Dipayal. In the first phase, the construction of the Khutiya-Bipnagar-Dipayal section was started.

In 2073, it was expanded and named Dhangadhi-Khutiya-Dipayal-Chainpur-Urai Bhanjyang. According to the detailed project report (DPR) of the project, the study of 186 kilometers from Dhangadhi to Thalara in Bajhang has been completed. The cost of completing the road construction is estimated at Rs 9.15 billion 5.3 million. The investment in the Dipayal-Patihalne section is estimated at Rs 5.94 billion. The cost of the Khutiya-Dipayal section is estimated at Rs 2.98 billion and the Dhangadhi-Khutiya section is estimated at Rs 228.2 million. Although the target is to connect Bajhang's Chainpur Bazaar and Urai Bhanjyang, the DPR has not been completed yet, said project chief Mishra. According to him, Rs 1.77 billion has been spent on the project so far.

Lack of budget hinders

Currently, there is a compulsion to travel 180 kilometers from Dhangadhi to Dipayal via Dadeldhura. After the construction of the fast track, the distance will be reduced to 95 kilometers. This will reduce the distance by 90 kilometers, says project chief Mishra. According to him, the expressway will connect Doti, Achham, Bajura and Bajhang with the Terai. The current compulsion to travel via Dadeldhura will be eliminated. There will be significant improvements in market access, health services, education, administrative services and economic activities.
There is a lack of budget to complete the project. Only Rs 150 million has been allocated in the current fiscal year. Which is very less compared to the size and needs of the project. Although there is no problem in the technical implementation of the project, Mishra says that the main reason for the delay in construction is the lack of sufficient budget. ‘The current liability of the project is Rs 500 million to 550 million,’ he said, ‘but Rs 150 million will be allocated. Due to the lack of budget, there is a problem in awarding new contracts.’ According to him, the project will be completed in 5 to 7 years if sufficient budget is available. Currently, work is being done through three main contracts for the construction of roads and bridges.