Kailali, Feb. 21 -- Construction of the proposed fast track connecting Dhangadhi in Kailali to Urai Bhanjyang on the Nepal-China border began two decades ago but work remains sluggish and the project is nowhere near completion. The project was conceived to link the hills of Sudurpaschim with the Tarai.

The Dhangadhi-Khutiya-Dipayal-Chainpur-Urai Bhanjyang fast track aims to reduce the distance between the plains and hill districts by nearly half and improve connectivity to remote areas. But the project has failed to gain momentum and has remained a recurring electoral issue in successive parliamentary elections.

The road begins at Hasanpur in Dhangadhi and is planned to pass through Khutiya, BP Nagar, Dipayal in Doti, and Chainpur in Ba...