Progress Seen in Tokha-Chhahare Tunnel Project as China Sends Draft Implementation Agreement

Kathmandu. The construction process for the long-discussed Tokha-Chhahare Tunnel Road project shows signs of gaining momentum. The Chinese side has sent a draft of the 'Implementation Agreement' to the Government of Nepal for the detailed feasibility study of this tunnel, which is slated to be built with Chinese grant assistance.

Sushil Babu Dhakal, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport and Chief of the Development Aid Coordination and Quality Division, confirmed receiving the draft agreement from the Chinese side.

Tunnel Study Enters Next Phase
According to Joint Secretary Dhakal, the pre-feasibility study for the project under the grant assistance of the Chinese government has already been completed. Now, the implementation agreement between the two countries is pending to move forward with the detailed feasibility study.

'The Implementation Agreement sent by China contains various conditions,' Dhakal told Ratopati. 'We are currently holding internal discussions on these conditions. We are preparing to finalize this soon after taking opinions from the Ministry of Finance regarding tax issues, the Ministry of Law on other legal matters, and our ministry on technical aspects.'

Dhakal informed that the Chinese side will conduct the feasibility study and prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) according to its schedule only after the government approves the draft and signs the agreement.

The pre-feasibility study indicated that this tunnel connecting Tokha in Kathmandu to Chhahare in Nuwakot could be constructed to be approximately 4.2 kilometers long.

'We have already provided our feedback and suggestions. Only after the agreement is finalized between the Ministry of Finance and the Chinese government will the Chinese side proceed with the detailed feasibility study on their schedule. Only after this study is complete will the construction process move forward; currently, it is only at the study stage.'

The pre-feasibility study indicated that this tunnel connecting Tokha in Kathmandu to Chhahare in Nuwakot could be constructed to be approximately 4.2 kilometers long.

Furthermore, during the third Commerce Secretary-level meeting of the Nepal-China Coordination Mechanism on Border Trade and Cooperation held in China on Magh 6 and 7 (January 20 and 21, 2026), the Chinese government agreed to the construction of this tunnel.

In the meeting held in Lhasa, the capital of China's Tibet Autonomous Region, agreements were reached on cooperation in bilateral trade, customs facilitation, infrastructure development, among other areas. The Nepali delegation was led by Commerce Secretary Dr. Ram Prasad Ghimire of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, while the Chinese side was led by His Excellency Chao Peng, Vice Chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region People's Government. Discussions were held regarding accelerating the Tokha-Chhahare Tunnel construction process.

Previously, during his visit to China, former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and his Chinese counterpart signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the construction of the tunnel on Mangsir 18, 2082 BS.

Pre-Feasibility Study Initiated Six Years Ago

The topic of the Tokha-Chhahare Tunnel construction has been under discussion for six years. The proposal for the Tokha-Chhahare Tunnel construction was put forward during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Nepal on Ashoj 25, 2076 BS. President Xi gave a positive response regarding cooperation in the tunnel construction. Accordingly, on Poush 11, 2076 BS, a Chinese team was deployed to the field to study the tunnel.

It is estimated that upon completion of the tunnel, the approximately 12 km road distance currently used to travel from Chhahare to Tokha, crossing Shivapuri National Park, will be shortened.

After completing the pre-feasibility study for the Tokha-Chhahare Tunnel, the Chinese team presented its findings to the Department of Roads on Magh 1, 2076 BS, showing three alternatives. This tunnel, with a total length of approximately 4 or 4.5 kilometers, will exit from Tokha in Kathmandu towards Thansing Plateau or Budhisera in Nuwakot. The exact point in Nuwakot will be determined after the detailed study.

Subsequently, during the tenure of the then Finance Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat, a budget equivalent to 1 billion rupees was allocated in the fiscal year 2080/81 for the detailed study of this tunnel, but the study could not proceed.

Benefits of the Tunnel

It is expected that the construction of this tunnel will bring economic and physical benefits. Once the tunnel is constructed and operational, it is anticipated to improve trade between the two countries, shorten road distance, optimize time utilization, and reduce transportation costs.

It is estimated that upon completion of the tunnel, the approximately 12 km road distance currently used to travel from Chhahare to Tokha, crossing Shivapuri National Park, will be shortened.

The Tokha-Gujrevbhanjyang-Chhahare-Gangte road is currently operational. This road connects Kathmandu to China via Syaphrubesi-Rasuwa Gadhi. Another operational road is the Kathmandu-Thankot-Galchhi-Trishuli-Syaphrubesi-Rasuwa Gadhi road. It is estimated that the Rasuwa Gadhi can be reached faster via the Tokha-Chhahare Tunnel than through either of these two existing roads.