KATHMANDU: The Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola Tunnel, Nepal’s first modern road tunnel connecting Kathmandu and Dhading, has reached the final stage of preparation for operation.
The project is expected to usher in a new era in the country’s transport infrastructure and is considered to be of multifaceted importance.
The foundation stone of the tunnel was formally laid in October 2019 by then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Initially, the project cost was estimated at around Rs 22 billion, but due to geological challenges, design changes, and other construction-related factors, the cost has increased to more than Rs 27 billion.
The construction contract was awarded to Hazama Ando Corporation (JV), with financial support provided through a concessional loan from the Japanese government.
The project was originally targeted for completion within about 42 months. However, various technical and geographical difficulties delayed progress, and the main tunnel construction was only completed in 2082 BS. Work related to landslide control and toll gate construction in the Dhading section is still ongoing.
The operation contract for the tunnel has been awarded to Yusin and Nepal’s ART JV, a joint venture company with Chinese involvement. The Project Office under the Department of Roads signed a five-year agreement with Yusin-ART at a cost of Rs 1.104 billion, including tax.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has announced the toll rates for vehicles using the tunnel. According to a notice published in the Gazette, the Council of Ministers approved the toll charges under the authority granted by Section 6(1) of the Road Board Act, 2058 BS.
The decision was made on July 26 last year, and the toll rates were subsequently made public through an official Gazette notification.
According to the approved rates, cars, vans, pickup trucks, tractors, microbuses, and other light vehicles will be charged Rs 65 when entering Kathmandu and Rs 60 when exiting.
Mini buses and mini trucks or tippers will be charged Rs 115 for entry and Rs 80 for exit. Buses and single rear-axle trucks will be charged Rs 260 for entry and Rs 200 for exit, while multi-axle trucks, heavy vehicles, and equipment will be charged Rs 600 for entry and Rs 250 for exit.
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