Nepal Unveils Landmark Infrastructure Project with New Road Tunnel
Nepal has officially inaugurated its first modern road tunnel, the 2.68-kilometre Nagdhunga–Sisnekhola Tunnel, marking a significant milestone in the country’s transport infrastructure after nearly seven years of construction. The tunnel was inaugurated on Monday by Minister for Infrastructure Development Sunil Lamsal in the presence of Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Maeda Toru and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Dr. Akihiko Tanaka. Following the ceremony, the project was formally handed over to the Government of Nepal.
The tunnel will initially be opened only to emergency vehicles, including ambulances and security forces, as part of a testing phase. It will later be opened gradually to private and public vehicles, with no toll charged during the trial period. Connecting Dahachok in Kathmandu’s Chandragiri Municipality with Sisnekhola in Dhading’s Dhunibesi Municipality, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time along the congested Nagdhunga route by nearly one hour.
The project includes a 2.68-kilometre main tunnel and a 2.56-kilometre emergency rescue tunnel equipped with CCTV surveillance, fire-fighting systems, emergency communication facilities, ventilation and other safety features. Pedestrians, motorcycles, three-wheelers, and vehicles carrying fuel, gas, explosives or other flammable materials will not be permitted. Toll charges will be introduced once the tunnel becomes fully operational.
