KATHMANDU: Progress on the Kathmandu–Terai/Madhesh Expressway, a national pride project, remains slow.

The Nepal Army reports that Rs 80.5 billion has been spent so far, but physical progress is only 42.13%, with financial progress at 44%.

Originally estimated at Rs 175 billion, the project’s cost has risen to Rs 211.93 billion.

Out of 13 construction packages, 12 are under implementation, while one segment (Khokana–Dukuchhap) faces land acquisition and traffic management issues, delaying procurement.

Seven tunnels totaling nearly 11 km are under construction with varying completion rates; some tunnels have been fully excavated while others are underway.

Of 89 planned bridges, 85 are under construction, with foundation and superstructure work ongoing.

Paving work has completed 5 km of road service lanes and sub-base layers on a 9.3 km stretch.

Land acquisition continues, with additional areas needing approval for environmental impact assessments.

The expressway spans approximately 70.977 km from Khokana to Nijgadh.

The government assigned construction to the Nepal Army in 2017 with a four-year deadline.