August 16: The government has amended the detailed project report (DPR) of the Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track (Expressway).    
According to Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Prakash Jwala, the document has undergone revisions in a way that it would result in the reduction of both cost and length for the road project.    
A meeting of the Council of Ministers on Tuesday decided to revise the DPR for the expressway. With the revision, the project cost is to decrease by Rs 2 billion.    
Following the amendment, the fast track is estimated to cost Rs 211 billion. The integration of a tunnel in the project contributed to a reduction in the project's overall length and subsequently in its cost as well, said Minister Jwala.
The project is being undertaken under the supervision of the Nepalese Army. The project had begun on April 25, 2017 and it has so far reported 25.54 percent progress. The deadline of the project completion is set for mid-April, 2027.    
Initially, the project was estimated to cost Rs 213. 09 billion. -- RSS