Nepal invites international tender for O&M of Nagdhunga tunnel road

KATHMANDU: The government has called an international competitive tender to select a service provider for the operation and maintenance of the Nagdhunga–Sisnekhola Tunnel Road, a major national infrastructure project seen as key to easing traffic congestion at the western gateway of Kathmandu Valley.

The Nagdhunga Tunnel Construction Project on Sunday issued a global tender seeking experienced and technically capable companies to operate and maintain the tunnel system. The deadline for bid submission is set for Poush 2, 2082 (December 17, 2025).

Although construction of the tunnel is nearly completed and vehicles can technically be operated through the route, the government has not been able to bring it into operation due to the lack of specialized manpower and high-level safety preparedness. The main traffic tunnel is 2.7 kilometers long while the emergency tunnel stretches 2.6 kilometers.

The government has already fixed toll rates for vehicles using the tunnel road to ensure systematic revenue collection, similar to modern toll-based expressways and tunnel infrastructures in other countries. The tunnel incorporates several advanced safety, control, and monitoring technologies including ventilation, emergency lighting, fire response, traffic monitoring sensors, and automated tolling systems.

However, the Department of Roads currently lacks sufficient expert manpower and institutional experience to handle the continuous 24-hour operation and maintenance requirements of such high-technology tunnel systems. Therefore, the project is opting for an international competitive selection to bring trained and highly skilled professionals into operation.

The selected service provider will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the tunnel for a period of five years. During this tenure, structured knowledge transfer will be carried out from foreign tunnel operation specialists to Nepali engineers, technicians, and managers. Officials believe that this knowledge transfer will enable Nepal to independently handle future strategic infrastructures such as long road tunnels, fast-track expressways, and mountain transport corridors.

Since the tunnel must operate round-the-clock, the operator must ensure immediate response capacity in cases of accidents, fire incidents, mechanical breakdown, or system malfunction. The service provider will deploy staff in shift-based duty schedules and establish dedicated emergency response units.

As per the operational staffing plan, around 150 personnel will be engaged. The operation and maintenance team will be led by a dedicated Tunnel Operation and Maintenance Chief. The Security Management Unit will have the highest number of staff, with 64 personnel planned, followed by 54 staff assigned for toll collection and system handling. Similarly, 14 personnel will oversee traffic monitoring, signaling, and control functions. Additionally, 8 technicians each will be responsible for civil structure upkeep and maintenance of mechanical/electrical infrastructure systems.

The Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola Tunnel Road is recognized as a nationally significant infrastructure project, expected to significantly improve traffic flow, reduce travel time between Kathmandu and the western regions, and lower vehicle operating costs. The tender call is seen as Nepal’s step toward adopting global best practices in road tunnel operation, aligning with international infrastructure, transport safety, and public service management standards.