Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola tunnel completed after 79 months, set to open within weeks

Nepal's first road tunnel, the Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola tunnel, has officially completed construction after 79 months of work, paving the way for its opening to traffic within weeks. Japanese contractor Hazama Ando Corporation has handed over the completed tunnel to the Nagdhunga Tunnel Construction Project.

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The contractor has finished its work and handed over the tunnel to us. The company will remain responsible for correcting any defects that appear within one year.

Construction began on October 21, 2019, with an initial deadline of 42 months. However, the project experienced significant delays attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, local obstructions, and other implementation issues. Despite the extended timeline, the contractor has now completed the work and is responsible for rectifying any defects that emerge during a one-year liability period.

Final preparations are underway before the tunnel's commercial operation, including software installation, system testing, and staff training. Toll plazas on both the Kathmandu and Dhading sides are complete. The operation and management contract for the tunnel has been awarded to Yusin-ART JV, a joint venture that will oversee maintenance, traffic management, emergency response, and toll collection for five years.

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The toll plaza structures are finished, and software installation is in progress. We are also training staff to familiarise them with tunnel operations before opening it.

The tunnel will introduce a fully digital toll payment system. Motorists will use an N-Tag linked to their bank accounts, allowing for automatic deduction of toll charges via electronic gates. Vehicle owners will need to maintain a minimum deposit in their accounts for this system to function.

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If motorists have an N-Tag linked to their bank account, the toll amount will be deducted automatically when they pass through the gate.