National Priority Projects Under Army on Track

The Nepali Army met all annual targets for the strategic road corridors and priority infrastructure projects it manages in Fiscal Year 2024/25, the Defense Ministry said, adding that the Kathmandu–Terai Expressway advanced 67.5 percent amid unresolved land acquisition on Package 11.

The Army-run Koshi, Karnali, and Mahakali corridors, as well as the Benighat–Arughat–Larke Bhanjyang road, all met 100 percent of their annual goals. The National Defense University, the Chure–Terai/Madhes Conservation program, and the Bunker-to-Barrack initiative also met planned milestones, defense ministry spokesperson Manoj Kumar Acharya said.

Progress on the Kathmandu–Terai Expressway, considered as the most significant national pride project, stood at 67.5 percent at the end of the review year. The ministry cited unresolved land acquisition on Package No 11 (the first 6.5 km from the starting point) in Khokana and pending decisions on the project’s starting location as the main reasons the annual physical target could not be met.

Corridor Achievements

Under the Koshi Corridor, the army opened a 10.51 km track on the Khandbari–Kimathanka section. In the Karnali Corridor, it opened a 2.5 km track on the Ghatparichaur–Badrigaun–Bhukkakhola section and an additional 11 km from Lallibagar to Dullikuna. Works completed include two 200-meter stretches at Bokche Gauda and Bhir Gauda, a 400-meter section at Yangchu Bhir, and a Bailey bridge over Chuwakhola at Kharpunath.

On the Benighat–Arughat–Larke Bhanjyang road, 2.5 km of new track was built and road widening at Tatopani Bhir was completed as planned.

On the Darchula–Tinker road, the army completed a 17.5 km track by the end of FY 2023/24. During FY 2024/25, a further 2.3 km of new track was opened, against annual targets of 1.8 km of new track and 1.2 km of upgrades.

Bunker-to-Barrack and NDU

The Bunker-to-Barrack program built 73 structures in the year, with 1,995 still to be completed. The National Defense University (NDU) met all its annual milestones – cumulative physical progress stands at 74.04 percent and financial progress at 74.02 percent. The NDU—under construction at Perungedanda, Banepa Municipality, Kavrepalanchok—has its core infrastructure, legal framework, and curriculum in the final phase.

Casualties During Construction

Construction in difficult terrain has carried a heavy toll. The ministry reported that 108 Army personnel lost their lives in infrastructure projects till date, including 12 on the Trishuli–Somdang section, seven on Katari–Olkhadunga, 18 on Beni–Jomsom, 62 on the Surkhet–Jumla stretch of the Karnali Highway, three on Besisahar–Chame, and one each on Nagma–Gamgadhi and Jajarkot–Dolpa. Twenty-four civilians have also died. Most recently, additional casualties reported in ongoing works include four soldiers on the Karnali Corridor and 28 civilians on various road projects.

Conservation Operations

The Army reported 254,133 patrols, 37,867 ambush operations, and 9,224 surprise inspections during the year as part of nature conservation duties. A total of 116 soldiers have lost their lives in conservation roles till date.

Arrears Clearance

The ministry said arrears totaling Rs 3.458 billion were on its books in FY 2024/25, of which 61.39 percent were cleared—exceeding the 60 percent clearance target. -- RSS