Nearly a year after starting Kathmandu-Tarai Expressway construction, the Nepal Army has called for Expression of Interest (EoI) from international firms to draft the Detail Project Report (DPR), mandatory for the expressway of Asian standards.

In a press statement, the Army’s Directorate of Public Relations said the international bidder could submit the EoI by April 12. The Army called for the EoI for the DPR after attempts to purchase the report prepared by an Indian consortium failed.

The consortium comprised Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) Transportation Networks, IL&FS Engineering and Construction, and Suryavir Infrastructure Construction.

The Army claims the Indian consortium asked ‘unexpectedly’ higher price for the DPR. It did not disclose the amount sought by the Indian developers.The Army has the authority for the construction of 76-km road. It will reduce the drive from Kathmandu to Nijgadh in Bara to an hour.

Speaking to the Post, Army Spokesperson Brig General Gokul Bhandari said, “While the preparation of DPR continues we will also carry out the ground work simultaneously.”Bhandari told that the ground works are ongoing for last one year based on the feasibility study carried out by Asian Development Bank in 2008. 

KP Sharma Oli-led former government had handed over the construction to the national defence force cancelling the decision of earlier governments to invite the Indian construction companies.

“We have set up security base in five different places to expedite the construction process,” Bhandari and added, “Currently, the Army is clearing trees in the project area and acquiring the land needed for the expressay project.”

It appears as if the Army is doing the construction, but either domestic or international contractors would do most of the major work. While local contractors would do soil reinforcing, cutting and filling and cross drainage works, the international contractors will work on high bridges and tunnels.

The Army has already selected 20 domestic contractors. It will select three more within a week.It has signed agreements with five other contractors to supply construction equipment. It will call international bidders for high bridges and tunnels once the DPR is ready.

The construction of the expressway began after former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal laid the foundation stone in May 2017.