Kathmandu. KATHMANDU — Prime Minister Sushila Karki has directed the government to move ahead with an alternative plan keeping aside the dispute over Khokana, the starting point of Kathmandu-Tarai-Madhes Fast Track.

In a meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers today, Prime Minister Karki directed the bodies concerned to move ahead with alternative plan in the context of concerns being expressed by the local community regarding the impact on religious, cultural heritage and faith in Khokana of Lalitpur.

Prior to this, Prime Minister Karki had also inspected the under-construction fast track on January 26. On the occasion, she said that the concerns of the locals should be taken seriously while carrying out development works. He also said that the project of national pride should be completed at the earliest even by changing the starting point.

On the occasion, Finance Minister Rameshwor Khanal, Law Minister Anil Kumar Sinha, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Madhav Chaulagain, Vice-Chairman of National Planning Commission Prakash Kumar Shrestha, Chief of Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel and officials related to the fast-track project and secretaries of the concerned ministries held discussions with the Prime Minister.

On the occasion, the Nepal Army briefed about the progress made so far in the project, problems and expectations from the government.

She has asked the officials of all the concerned bodies not to make unnecessary delays in the development works and not to get entangled in controversies.

“There should not be unnecessary delay in development works. We have to resolve the dispute as much as possible. But if there is a dispute, it should not be stuck there indefinitely. We should move ahead by exploring alternatives,” PM Karki said, adding, “Now let’s amend the Detailed Project Report (DPR). If the starting point is not hollow, then let’s make it a starting point where things meet. Let’s run the project as far as it is completed. ’

He was of the view that it would be difficult to bear the financial burden if the big investment project was extended indefinitely.

Now, as per his directive, the DPR will be amended to construct a toll plaza (fee collection house) at Farsidole, 3.3 kilometers below Khokana.