Naubise-Nagdhunga Tunnel achieves over 50 per cent progress

 Kathmandu, Jun 9

The Naubise-Nagdhunga tunnel has achieved more than 50 per cent progress.

The Nagdhunga Tunnel Construction Project under the Department of Roads informed that about 2,901 metres tunnel is opened of the total target of 5,499 metres, which makes the progress of about 53 per cent.

According to the project, construction of about 1,283m of the 2,688m main tunnel is dug. Approximately 660m is dug from Kathmandu side and 623m from Dhading side.

Likewise, 1444m escape tunnel - 838m from Kathmandu side and 606m from Dhading, Sisne Khola side – is dug.

The project has so far achieved 37 per cent overall physical progress and 45.50 per cent financial progress.

Meanwhile, 126 meters working audit has been constructed at Dhading side. So far, 48 meters of cross passage has been constructed.

The total length of the tunnel is 2.69 KM, and it will have openings at Tutipakha of Chandragiri Municipality-1in Kathmandu and Sisnekhola of Dhunibensi Municipality in Dhading.

The tunnel will have two main lanes, one side lane which will be used to part vehicles if they run out of order.

Of the total 5,499 meters of tunnels to be dug under the project, 2,598 meters of tunnels are yet to be dug. A cross passage connecting the main tunnel and the escape tunnel has been constructed at every 300 meters of the tunnel. Up to seven cross passages will be constructed at every 300 meters inside the tunnel, informed the project on Thursday.

The national pride project should be completed by the first week of April 2023 however, the deadline is extended by 86 days due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The project said that it has completed the construction of all four box culvert, one overpass and three bridge while two of the three underpasses are completed. the

Japanese company Hazama Ando Corporation is constructing the tunnel. The company accept the contract with a plan to complete the 2.69-km long double-lane road tunnel within 42 months from the project commencement date.

 In 2016, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) had agreed to provide Rs. 17 billion loan to Nepal with 0.01 per cent interest for 40 years for the project. The government will bear Rs. 6.3 billion for land acquisition and other administrative work. 

 The detail design of the project was completed in April 2018. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 10 June 2022.