KATHMANDU, July 18: Nearly a year after construction was completed, Nepal's first road tunnel, the Nagdhunga Tunnel, is set to open for trial operation from July 2, promising to cut travel time and ease chronic traffic congestion at the Kathmandu Valley's western gateway.
According to the Department of Roads (DoR), the tunnel will be officially inaugurated on July 27. Director General Dr Bijay Jaisi said representatives of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will attend the ceremony, while the government has yet to decide whether the inauguration will be led by the prime minister or a minister.
Nagdhunga-Naubise tunnel route to undergo breakthrough tomorrow...
The tunnel will initially operate on a trial basis, with full commercial operation expected within the next two to three months. Vehicles will not be charged during the trial period. Once commercial operation begins, tolls will range from Rs 60 for light vehicles to Rs 600 for heavy vehicles, as approved by the government.
The tunnel will be operated by Yusin–ART JV, a joint venture between Nepal's Yusin and China's ART. According to the company, most of the 150 personnel required for tunnel operations have already been trained.
Officials expect the tunnel to significantly reduce congestion on the Kathmandu–Nagdhunga road section. The 7.5-kilometre stretch between Balambu and Sisnekhola will be shortened to about 5 kilometres, reducing travel time by nearly half.
The operating company has also committed to paying Rs 1.10 billion in revenue to the government over the next five years through toll collection.
The DoR said additional time was needed to complete legal and technical preparations, as the Nagdhunga Tunnel is Nepal's first road tunnel project.
-1784277548.webp)
