Expressway deadline extended for third time as project nears a decade with half the work unfinished
Summary
The Kathmandu-Tarai/Madhesh Expressway deadline has been extended for a third time to April 2030 as physical progress remains just over 50 percent. Delays tied to the Khokana dispute, land acquisition, and construction challenges have kept Kathmandu reliant on vulnerable highways during disasters.
Key Points
- The Kathmandu-Tarai/Madhesh Expressway has been extended again, with the new deadline set for April 2030 after years of delay.
- Physical progress stands at 50.02 percent, and the project has been under construction for nearly a decade by the Nepali Army.
- The biggest obstacle remains the Khokana-Dukuchhap section, where land acquisition, Guthi land and alignment disputes are unresolved.
- The expressway is seen as critical for disaster resilience, trade, transport and long-term connectivity between Kathmandu and the southern plains.
