Naagdhunga Tunnel Nearing Completion for Operation in July

Kathmandu. The Naagdhunga Tunnel, constructed as Nepal's first road tunnel, is in the final stages of preparation for operation starting from the month of Saun. The operational and maintenance vehicles to be used in the tunnel have successfully completed their testing as part of the necessary technical preparations before operation. During the testing, the performance of vehicles and equipment used for regular inspection, maintenance, cleaning, emergency rescue, and accident management within the tunnel was checked. The final testing of the security system, ventilation, electricity supply, fire control system, communication, CCTV surveillance, and traffic management system necessary for tunnel operation is also underway. The total cost of this project, constructed with the soft loan assistance of the Japanese government, is approximately 22 billion rupees. A major portion of this was managed by the loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The main responsibility for tunnel construction was handled by the Japanese construction company Hazma-Ando Corporation, with the joint involvement of Japanese companies in consulting services. The main tunnel of the project is approximately 2.68 kilometers long, and a separate emergency tunnel has also been constructed for rescue. Along with the tunnel, access roads, flyovers, bridges, and other auxiliary structures have also been built. The then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had laid the foundation stone on November 1, 2019. Although construction work started in 2019, the project completion was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, land acquisition, technical challenges, and other management reasons. Currently, its construction work is almost complete, and preparations for final operation are underway. After the tunnel becomes operational, vehicles will be allowed entry according to specific criteria in the initial phase. Strict adherence to speed limits, vehicle distance, lane discipline, and safety standards will be enforced inside the tunnel. Arrangements have been made for the operation, monitoring, and emergency management of the tunnel from a state-of-the-art control center. It is expected that after the Naagdhunga Tunnel becomes operational, the movement of passengers and cargo vehicles entering and exiting the Kathmandu Valley will become easier, safer, and faster. It is believed that this will significantly contribute to reducing traffic jams on the Naagdhunga section, as well as reducing travel time, fuel consumption, and vehicle operating costs.
Photo: Suryams Upreti/Nepal Photo Library