Testing of Nagdhunga Tunnel to Be Completed within Baishakh, Commercial Operations to Begin from Next Fiscal Year
The government plans to complete preparations for the operation of the Nagdhunga Tunnel within the current fiscal year and commence commercial operations from Shrawan. The Department of Roads is preparing to open the tunnel for traffic testing from the last week of Baishakh or the first week of Jestha. The total length of the Nagdhunga Tunnel is 2,688 meters, with access roads extending the total length to 5.06 kilometers, which is expected to reduce traffic congestion on the Kathmandu–Nauvise road. Kathmandu, 13 Baishakh.
Last year, the government intended to operate the Nagdhunga Tunnel during emergencies to alleviate traffic jams during the monsoon and Dashain festivals, but that plan was not realized. This time, all advance preparations are expected to be completed within the current fiscal year, with commercial operation scheduled to begin from Shrawan of the upcoming fiscal year. According to Soujanya Nepal, chief of the Nagdhunga Tunnel Construction Project under the Department of Roads, the tunnel will be opened for vehicle traffic for testing from the end of Baishakh or the first week of Jestha.
However, traffic during this testing phase will be limited to a specific period and designated vehicles only. The functionality of the installed equipment will be tested, alongside training of staff and deployment of emergency services such as firefighters and ambulances. The decision regarding whether to collect tolls from road users during this period is still pending, according to official Nepal. “Currently, the project is planning to operate the tunnel for testing purposes from the last week of Baishakh or the first week of Jestha, and if successful, commercial operation will commence from the start of the next fiscal year,” he said.
Meanwhile, work to prevent landslides at the entrance to Dhading is ongoing and aims to be completed before the monsoon. The project has assigned Yusin-ART JV the responsibility to operate and manage the tunnel for the next five years. The contract awarded to this project is worth NPR 110 crore, with an annual payment commitment of NPR 22 crore. However, the road toll collection assigned under the project will be conducted by the Road Board, and the collected funds will be deposited into the government’s revenue account. The operating company will be paid according to the terms of the contract.
