Infrastructure construction in Nepal has been caught in a vicious cycle. That is, whether small or large, local projects or projects of national pride, the construction period of projects has been prolonged. This is why citizens and senior state officials cannot predict when the project under construction will be completed. 

The Kathmandu-Terai/Madhesh Expressway (Fast Track) can also be seen in the same vein of projects. The Nepali Army itself has been given the responsibility for the construction of this project, for which the track was opened. However, the construction has not been completed even within the extended deadline. On the contrary, suggestions have started to be expressed by stakeholders to extend the deadline again. If the reasons for the delay in the project are not resolved, but the deadline for this project is kept on extending, it may have to be extended again and again. Therefore, the issue of extending the deadline should now be made an exception, and the problems seen in the construction of the project should be resolved immediately and it should be ensured that it is completed on time. 

 Mainly, the completion of a major project would have increased national confidence. If the project was completed on time, private sector investors would have made or were making their investment plans accordingly. The construction of the Fast Track has been started with the aim of shortening the distance between Birgunj, the main gateway for import and export, and the capital Kathmandu. With the shortening of the road distance, it is expected that there will be a significant reduction in transportation costs. In addition, time will also be saved. Because, using the fast track from Birgunj to Kathmandu via Hetauda, ​​Bharatpur, Mugling, the road distance will be about 170 kilometers and the travel time will be 6 hours. Such a situation will make a significant contribution to the economy. That is why its construction is being carried out as a project of national pride. But despite being called fast track in its name, its construction speed is extremely 'slow'. Because, this project, which was handed over to the army on 27 Shrawan 2074, was supposed to be completed in Mangsir 2081. But the deadline has been extended to Chaitra 2083. However, even with 11 months left to complete the construction, the physical progress of the project has been seen at only 48 percent.

The Covid pandemic also had an impact in the beginning. Similarly, the dispute over the 6.5-kilometer section of the Khokna section under the project has not yet been resolved. After the Khokna dispute has not been resolved for years, attempts have been made to move forward with an alternative plan. For this, the Council of Ministers should decide to amend the DPR. But that has not been done. Similarly, in some sections, despite the delay in work by Chinese and Nepali construction companies, the expected progress has not been made. Similar problems are seen in other projects as well. It is found that the cost also increases as the deadline is extended. The cost of the fast track is 2013 billion, but if it is not completed on time and the deadline is extended, the cost may also increase. Many other projects have led to such a situation. When a country with limited economic capacity comes to a similar situation in large projects, it is difficult to bear the financial burden.

Second, if the project is completed on time, it would have been possible to benefit immediately. For example, if the fast track had been completed in 2078 BS, a lot of benefits would have been received in the last five years. The objectives associated with the project would have been fulfilled. Transportation costs would be reduced, travel time would be shortened, investment would increase in new places, and entrepreneurs would operate. Aspects such as job creation and capital formation would have made many positive contributions to the economy. Mainly, when a large project is completed, it would increase national confidence. When the project is completed on time, private sector investors would also make or are making their investment plans accordingly. Many investors were excited when it was said that a fast track and an airport would also be built in Nijgadh, and some had even invested. However, their enthusiasm has not been realized.

Fast track is just a reference, which helps to understand the tendency of project construction periods being extended and the benefits it should provide being pushed back. But the situation is similar for most projects of national pride. Even small and large road and bridge projects have not been completed for years. However, since the condition of the fast track, which was entrusted to the army, is the same as other projects, an additional negative message has been sent, which is not a good situation. Therefore, a mechanism should be developed to find immediate solutions by preparing profiles of all projects, including the Fast Track, identifying the problems seen in the respective projects, how many of them were caused by the government's administrative process, how many were caused by construction entrepreneurs, and how many were caused by local problems.