KATHMANDU: The long-awaited Nagdhunga-Naubise tunnel route is set to undergo its breakthrough today.

Nabin Man Shrestha, the head of the Nagdhunga-Naubise tunnel project, stated that the tunnel road, which has been under construction for four and a half years, will be ready for breakthrough at 12:45 PM on Monday.

A ceremony is planned to mark the opening of the main tunnel, with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Deputy Prime Minister and Physical Infrastructure Minister Raghubir Mahaseth attending the event.

The project has also invited former prime minister and UML Chairman KP Oli, who was in office when the tunnel construction began in October 2019.

Parliamentarians from Kathmandu and Dhading, along with local representatives, have also been invited.

Despite plans for the tunnel construction to be completed within 42 months, delays caused by local opposition in Dhading and the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the project timeline.

Even after the breakthrough, it will take time for the tunnel to become fully operational.

Several tasks still need to be completed, including road slope adjustment, oxygen and temperature control, telephone connectivity, ventilation, and lighting.

Concrete lining, flyover construction, access road development, and installation of ventilation and emergency equipment also remain outstanding.

Project head Shrestha explained, “Completing concrete lining, flyover construction, access road development, and installing lights, ventilation, and emergency equipment will take time. Our estimation is that it will require at least one more year.”