Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola tunnel road open today after six-and-a-half years

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s first modern commercial road tunnel, the Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola Tunnel Road, is set to officially come into operation today, marking the completion of a major infrastructure project that took nearly six-and-a-half years to build.

The tunnel road will be inaugurated in the presence of Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal, Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Maeda Toru, and officials from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The project has already been handed over to the Nepal government by the Japanese construction company Hazama Ando Corporation.

Construction of the project began on November 20, 2019, under an agreement that initially targeted completion within 42 months. However, the COVID-19 pandemic, local disruptions and other technical challenges delayed the project, extending the construction period to 79 months.

The main tunnel is 2,688 meters long, while the emergency escape tunnel measures 2,557 meters. The Government of Japan provided approximately Rs 21.5 billion in concessional loans for the project, while the Government of Nepal invested around Rs 6 billion. The total project cost has reached approximately Rs 27.5 billion.

The Yusin-ART Joint Venture has been awarded responsibility for operating and managing the tunnel. The joint venture between Chinese company Yusin and Nepali company ART will be responsible for tunnel operations, maintenance, traffic management, emergency rescue services, toll collection and regular maintenance of the 2.8-kilometer approach roads on both sides for five years.

The tunnel will operate 24 hours a day, with around 150 employees deployed across different shifts to manage operations and services.

Following the inauguration, the tunnel will initially undergo safety system and traffic management tests. During this initial phase, only ambulances, security vehicles and other essential vehicles will be allowed to use the tunnel. The Department of Roads has said no toll fees will be charged during the testing period.

Once the testing is successfully completed, all permitted vehicles will be allowed to use the tunnel under regular operations.

The tunnel is expected to provide significant relief to motorists travelling along the winding and steep Nagdhunga road, which frequently experiences heavy traffic congestion. The tunnel connects Dahachok (Totipakha) in Chandragiri Municipality-1 of Kathmandu with Sisnekhola in Dhunibesi Municipality of Dhading.

Officials expect the tunnel route to save travellers nearly one hour of travel time while also reducing fuel consumption.

The project is equipped with modern safety and emergency response systems, including CCTV surveillance, ventilation systems, fire-fighting equipment, emergency rescue facilities, communication systems and oxygen supply infrastructure.

Under the project agreement, if any technical problems emerge within one year of the tunnel being handed over to the government, the construction company will be responsible for carrying out repairs at its own expense.

Toll Rates After Regular Operation

The following toll rates will apply once the tunnel enters regular operation:

Vehicles Prohibited from Using the Tunnel

The following vehicles will not be permitted to enter the tunnel:

• Pedestrians
• Two-wheelers
• Three-wheelers
• Vehicles carrying flammable materials such as diesel, petrol and gas
• Vehicles carrying explosive materials

The opening of the Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola Tunnel Road is expected to be a significant milestone for Nepal’s transport infrastructure, with the project aimed at improving connectivity between Kathmandu and the western parts of the country while reducing congestion and travel time along the existing Nagdhunga route.