LUMBINI: The primary tunnel of the Siddhababa Tunnel, under construction as a national pride project, will achieve its ‘breakthrough’ milestone today.
The tunnel, located along the Butwal-Tansen section of the Siddhartha Highway, spans 1,126 meters from the upper Siddhababa Temple area.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli will attend the breakthrough ceremony, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel, and Minister for Physical Infrastructure Devendra Dahal, among other officials.
Project Chief Krishna Raj Adhikari confirmed that all preparations for the milestone event have been completed. The tunnel aims to address landslide risks along the Siddhartha Highway, particularly in the lower Siddhababa Temple to Dovan stretch, where landslides occur even during dry seasons.
Construction began in 2078 BS, following the allocation of funds by the Cabinet in 2077 BS. The Department of Roads awarded the contract to China State Construction Engineering Corporation for a budget of Rs 7.34 billion. The project includes three bypass tunnels, the last of which achieved a breakthrough on Poush 7.
The bypass tunnels are 151 meters, 161 meters, and 130 meters in length, with the first near the upper Siddhababa Temple and the third near Dovan Dam. The main tunnel is expected to be completed by 2083 BS.
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) conducted a survey in 2075 BS, identifying the 2.7 km section from Siddhababa to Dovan as highly vulnerable, prompting the tunnel’s construction.
Once operational, the tunnel will significantly improve travel between Butwal and various hill districts in Lumbini and Gandaki Provinces, including Palpa, Gulmi, Syangja, Baglung, and Parbat.
Approximately 150 workers, including skilled and semi-skilled personnel from Nepal and China, are currently working on the project. Secondary support work is ongoing within the tunnel following its excavation.
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