Nepal’s First Road Tunnel to Open for Trial Run

A ‘fun run and walk’ event was held at Nepal’s first road tunnel, Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola tunnel, on Saturday.

The tunnel, which connects Nagdhunga in Kathmandu and Sisnekhola in Dhading, is set to open for a trial run on Ashar 11, 2083, after a year of completion.

The event, jointly organized by the Department of Roads and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), allowed the general public to inspect the tunnel and learn about its operation.

Delayed Opening

The Department of Roads attributed the delay in the tunnel’s operation to the time taken to complete various technical, administrative, and legal procedures.

The tunnel’s formal inauguration is scheduled for Ashar 11, 2083, and will be attended by JICA representatives.

Initially, the tunnel will operate on a trial basis, and it is expected to take around two to three months to start full commercial operation.

During the trial period, no toll will be charged for using the tunnel, but once commercial operation begins, the government-set toll will be applicable.

Expected Benefits

The operation of the tunnel is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion on the Kathmandu-Nagdhunga road section.

The tunnel will reduce the distance from Balambu to Sisnekhola from 7.5 kilometers to around 5 kilometers and is expected to cut travel time by almost half.

The Department of Roads has installed all necessary infrastructure, including oxygen supply, fire control, security surveillance, communication, power supply, ventilation, and toll collection systems, inside the tunnel.

The department attributed the delay in the tunnel’s operation to the time taken to develop legal, technical, and management systems for Nepal’s first road tunnel.