Siddhababa Tunnel Project Reaches 65% Physical Completion

KATHMANDU: Construction of the Siddhababa Tunnel along the Siddhartha Highway in Tinau Rural Municipality–3, Dobhan of Palpa district has achieved 65 percent physical progress, while financial progress stands at 56 percent, according to project officials.

The main tunnel, measuring 1,126 meters in length, has already been completed. In addition, construction of three bypass tunnels with lengths of 151 meters, 161 meters, and 130 meters has also been finalized. Work is ongoing on access roads to the tunnel, slope stabilization, retaining walls, and other associated structures.

Under the project, a total of 2,398 meters of road is to be upgraded. However, construction of a rock shed—designed to protect the existing road from landslides and falling rocks—remains pending. The planned rock shed will be 780 meters long, 3.43 meters wide, and 4.4 meters high. Project authorities stated that construction of the rock shed will begin only after vehicle movement starts through the main tunnel.

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development, Kulman Ghising, conducted an on-site inspection of the project on Sunday. During the visit, he urged project officials and contractors to ensure completion within the stipulated timeline.

Accompanied by Physical Infrastructure and Transport Ministry Secretary Keshav Kumar Sharma, Minister Ghising instructed concerned authorities to immediately resolve outstanding issues between the project office and the contractor. He stressed that delays caused by indecision would not be tolerated.

Referring to a request by the contractor for a 19-month extension, citing factors such as delayed site handover, delays in forest clearance, and late advance payments, Ghising directed the project office, consultant, and contractor to jointly make prompt decisions. He emphasized that unresolved administrative issues should not affect construction progress under any circumstances.

The tunnel is being constructed under an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) model. A contract worth Rs 7.34 billion, including taxes, was signed with China State Construction Engineering Corporation on Falgun 25, 2078 BS (March 2022). As per the agreement, construction must be completed by Chaitra 2083 BS (April 2027). After completion, the contractor will operate and maintain the tunnel for 1,825 days.

The project is being financed entirely through the Government of Nepal’s internal resources.

The Siddhababa section of the Siddhartha Highway has long been considered highly risky due to frequent rockfalls, landslides, and soil erosion during both monsoon and dry seasons, resulting in repeated accidents and human casualties. Traffic disruptions lasting several hours are common during the rainy season. The tunnel project is aimed at addressing these long-standing safety concerns, with authorities expressing confidence that travel along the Siddhartha Highway will become significantly faster and safer once the tunnel comes into operation.