The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport on Tuesday issued a notice, inviting Expression of Interest (EOI) from consulting firms to conduct a geo-technical investigation for the design of bridges, flyovers, grade separated intersections and preliminary design of the Kathmandu-Terai/Madhes Fast Track Road Project.

According to the notice, the consulting work for the 76km road project has been divided into five packages.

The project office issued the latest notice after the Supreme Court quashed a writ that demanded annulment of the previous government’s plan to hand over the project to an Indian consortium company after the incumbent government announced to develop the project on its own.

According to the notice, interested firms should submit their EOIs by August 2. A ministry source said a competent firm will be shortlisted and invited to submit the Request for Proposal (RFP). “We published the notice as per the government’s policy to construct the project on its own,” said a project official.

The government has allocated Rs10 billion for this fiscal year for the project.

Previous government led by Sushil Koirala had signed a memorandum of understanding to prepare a detailed report with an Indian company named Infrastructure and Lease and Financing Services (IL&FS) Limited in March 2015.

However, the plan landed in controversy due to provisions requiring the government to ensure minimum revenue guarantee, promise low interest loan worth Rs75 billion to the developer and Rs15 billion in equity investment.