House panel probe on Fast Track

KATHMANDU, MAY 08 -

Amid allegations of irregularities in track opening work of the Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track Road Project, a parliamentary sub-committee formed to study the matter has expressed satisfaction over the output against cost involved, but questioned non-transparency.

The Nepal Army (NA) has been carrying out the track opening work of the much talked-about project for the last two years and has so far completed opening 40 km track out of 76 km.

Allegations of irregularities while awarding certain contract to the private sector by the army had forced the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to investigate the matter. However, the sub-committee, formed two months ago under the coordination of Lawmaker Rabindra Adhikari, didn’t find any embezzlement, but identified a number of drawbacks in the process of assigning development projects to the army, which made construction work non-transparent.

Adhikari said they found satisfactory progress against expenditure. “But we have questioned about the process.”

Amid concerns about per unit cost of earthwork and excavation, the report has termed the cost ‘justified’. “Over the last two years, the cost of earthwork and excavation has been maintained at Rs 163 per cubic metre, which is justified,” says the report.

With the army using machines, labour and explosion for excavation, the report says the government has not yet formulated any norms on excavation with the use of machine. “That’s why we cannot confirm how much it costs per hour while excavating,’ says the report, suggesting that the government devise norms on the use of machines in earthwork and excavation.

The report has indicated number of problems facing the mega project, while asking the government to ensure policy clarity while involving the army in construction work. “The government should bring clear guidelines and programmes for the army to complete such a complex construction on time and effectively,” states the report.

With the army leasing heavy equipment and machineries directly from the private sector without going through bidding process, the report has suggested that such machines should be procured through competitive bidding.

However, the report has advocated for the continued involvement of the army in the project until it is completed. It has suggested that the army be equipped with necessary human resources and equipment to the complete the national priority project on time.

The report has also pointed out need for early distribution of compensation for land acquired. “Procedural delay at the government agency level has stymied the early completion of the fast track project, not the demands from local people,” said Adhikari.

According to the report, only Rs 84 million out of the allocated Rs 939.6 million has been distributed as compensation for acquired land. The report has warned that the track opening work will be seriously delayed if compensation is not distributed immediately.

Last year, the entire budget worth Rs 350 million allocated for land compensation had frozen.

As of mid-April, the army has spent Rs 121.5 million from the allocated budget of Rs 340 million for track opening. In the previous two years, the army spent Rs 521.9 million.

The report has suggested that the government be directed to complete the project within five years beginning from the next fiscal year.

Source: Kantipur