KATHMANDU: Preparations are underway to bring the Nagdhunga-Naubise Tunnel into operation from next month (July).
The operation of Nepal’s first modern road tunnel is expected to ease traffic movement along the busy Naubise-Nagdhunga section. Project Director of the Nagdhunga Tunnel Construction Project, Saujan Nepal, said internal preparations have been expedited to start vehicle movement through the tunnel from mid-July.
“Most of the work inside the tunnel has been completed. Necessary tests are being carried out for vehicle rescue and emergency management inside the tunnel,” Nepal said. “Only landslide prevention work outside the tunnel remains.”
The Nagdhunga-Naubise Tunnel has a total length of 2,688 metres. As per the initial contract agreement, the project was scheduled to be completed by April 26, 2023. However, construction was delayed due to slow progress by the contractor and local obstructions. The project has now begun preparations for tunnel operation and management.
Project Director Nepal said preparations are also underway for toll collection, including selecting a bank and printing cards for vehicles using the tunnel. The project has planned three payment methods: manual cash collection, QR code scanning and automatic vehicle identification through stickers read by high-capacity cameras.
Through a bidding process, USIN ART Company has been awarded the responsibility of operating, managing and maintaining the tunnel for five years at a cost of Rs 1.1 billion.
Nepal said the company operating the tunnel will collect toll charges and deposit the amount into the account of the Road Board Nepal. Ten companies had participated in the bidding process.
The tunnel will operate 24 hours a day throughout the year, with around 150 employees deployed for its operation and management. During peak hours, around 40 employees will be deployed at a time, according to the project.
“Internal preparations are currently underway. We aim to complete all preparations by this month and start operating vehicles through the tunnel from July end,” Nepal said.
According to the project, more than 8,000 vehicles, excluding two-wheelers, enter and exit Kathmandu through the Nagdhunga-Naubise section daily on average. It is estimated that around 60 percent of these vehicles will use the tunnel after its operation begins.
Two-wheelers will not be allowed to use the Nagdhunga-Naubise Tunnel, according to the project.
Tunnel usage fees fixed for vehicles on Nagdhunga-Naubise route
The government has fixed the fees for vehicles using the Nagdhunga-Naubise Tunnel through a notice published in the Nepal Gazette on Chaitra 26, 2082 BS.
The fees have been determined based on vehicle type and capacity. For cars, vans, pickups, tractors, microbuses and other light vehicles, the charge has been fixed at Rs 65 for vehicles entering Kathmandu and Rs 60 for vehicles leaving Kathmandu.
Similarly, minibuses and mini tippers/trucks will be charged Rs 125 while entering Kathmandu and Rs 80 while exiting Kathmandu. For buses and trucks with a single rear axle, the fee has been fixed at Rs 260 for entry into Kathmandu and Rs 200 for vehicles heading out of Kathmandu.
Likewise, multi-axle trucks, heavy vehicles and heavy equipment will have to pay Rs 600 while entering Kathmandu and Rs 250 while exiting Kathmandu.
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