Nepal Inaugurates First Modern Tunnel, Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola, Marking New Era in Transportation

Kathmandu. The country's road transport sector has entered a new era with the formal inauguration of the Nagdhunga–Sisnekhola Tunnel, which is Nepal's first modern transport tunnel. 

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held on Monday, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Dr. Tanaka Akihiko stated that this project is a significant achievement of the strong relationship and cooperation between Nepal and Japan.

With the tunnel now in operation, the time taken to cross the Nagdhunga section has been reduced to 5 to 7 minutes. This infrastructure will reduce traffic congestion, improve road safety, and enhance transport efficiency. It is believed that this will have a positive impact on the country's economic activities and the daily lives of citizens.

President Tanaka mentioned that the indispensability of this tunnel was further confirmed during the record rainfall two years ago and the resulting disruptions. Although still under construction, this corridor played an important role as a link route during the disaster. ‘This has re-established the importance of flexible infrastructure for emergency services and the transport of essential goods during times of crisis,’ he said, ‘It has proven to be a reliable infrastructure.’

He stated that various technical challenges were faced during the construction of the project due to the difficult geological structure of the Himalayan region. Problems such as repeated landslides during excavation, rock deformation, and intense ground pressure were resolved through the combined efforts of Japanese technology and Nepali manpower. 98 percent of the manpower for this project consisted of Nepali engineers and workers. President Akihiko said that they have set an exemplary example of technology and skill transfer in collaboration with Japanese experts.

This project, completed on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Japan, has elevated the mutual trust and cooperation between the two countries to new heights. Based on this success, a new technical cooperation program will also be launched between the two countries to enhance Nepal's capacity in tunnel planning, construction, operation, and maintenance in the coming days. 

JICA has expressed its commitment to continue its cooperation as a reliable partner for Nepal's sustainable development in the future. This tunnel is expected to contribute for ages to Nepal's safe transportation, sustainable economic growth, and national resilience.