Nagdhunga tunnel

Nagdhunga tunnel
Overview
LocationBagmati Province, Nepal
StatusActive
RouteC2 NH 41
Operation
Work beganOctober 2019
ConstructedMay 2026
Opened27 July 2026
OwnerDepartment of Roads, Government of Nepal
OperatorYusin-ART JV[1]
TrafficAutomotive
Technical
Length2.68 kilometres (1.67 mi)
No. of lanesTwo (one in each direction)

Nagdhunga tunnel (Nepali: नागढुंगा सुरुङ्ग) is a 2.68-kilometre-long (1.67 mi) highway tunnel connecting Sisnekhola of Dhading district and Nagdhunga in Kathmandu. The tunnel is part of Tribhuvan highway. It is Nepal's first modern road tunnel. The tunnel has a height of 8.3m and has a lane of 9.5m wide.

Geology

The tunnel passes through bedrocks of Sopyang formation. There are six shear zones in the alignment. [2]

Nagdhunga Tunnel under construction (July 2021)

Construction

The contractor of the project was Hazama Ando Corporation. Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli innagurated the construction work of the project by laying the foundation stone on 22 October, 2019.[3] The project was initially scheduled to be finished by April 2023, but it was delayed due to COVID-19, local obstructions and other reasons.[4] The initial cost estimate of the project was about NPR 22 billion.[5] The project was financed through approximately Rs 21.5 billion in concessional loans from Japan, with the Nepal government contributing around Rs 6 billion. The final work related to tunnel was completed in May 2026 and was officially handed over to the government.[6]

Opening and operation

The Nagdhunga–Sisnekhola Tunnel was formally inaugurated on 27 July 2026. Government officials, representatives of the Japan International Cooperation Agency and other invited guests attended the ceremony.[7][8]

The tunnel began operating in phases rather than opening immediately to all categories of traffic. During the initial phase, access was limited to ambulances, fire engines, security vehicles and other essential-service vehicles while its safety, traffic-management and operating systems were tested.[9][10]

Traffic access was scheduled to be expanded gradually in accordance with the authorities' operational plan.[11] No toll was collected during the initial trial-operation period.[12]

Motorcycles, scooters, three-wheelers and pedestrians are prohibited from using the tunnel. Vehicles carrying fuel, gas, explosives and other flammable or hazardous materials are also restricted.[13]

The operation and maintenance of the tunnel were assigned to Yusin–ART Joint Venture under a five-year contract. Its responsibilities include routine inspections, maintenance of civil, mechanical and electrical systems, safety management and toll collection.[14]

Specifications

Salient features of the tunnel are as follows:

  • Tunnel: 2.688 km (1.7 mi), 2 lanes, total tunnel (carriageways) width 9.5 m, grade 3.5%
  • Evacuation tunnel: 2.55 km (1.6 mi) parallel to main tunnel with interconnections at regular intervals
  • Approach road: 2.60 km, 2 lanes of 3.5 m width, 2 m shoulder on both sides
  • Bridge: 1 overpass and 3 underpass
  • Flyover: 1 at Balambu interchange
  • Toll facility: West side 3 booths, 3 lanes each and East side 2 booths, 2 lanes each
  • Tunnel management office: West side area 390 sq.m and east side 300 sq.m
  • Disposal area development at the east portal,
  • Transmission line: 4.14 km.
  • Final built cost: Rs 29 billion

See also

References

  1. ^ "China-Nepal joint venture to manage Nagdhunga tunnel". The Kathmandu Post. Apr 30, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ SAPKOTA, AJIT (2016). "HYDROGEOLOGICAL STUDY OF NAGHDHUNGA TUNNEL SITE". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ^ "Oli inaugurates construction work of Nagdhunga tunnel". Archived from the original on 2019-10-22. Retrieved 2021-04-26.
  4. ^ Sen, Sandeep (2020-12-25). "Construction of Nagdhunga tunnel starts". The Himalayan Times. Archived from the original on 2021-01-17. Retrieved 2021-04-26.
  5. ^ "Nagdhunga tunnel work gains momentum". GorakhaPatra. Archived from the original on 2020-12-19. Retrieved 2021-04-26.
  6. ^ "Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola tunnelway completed after 79 months, set to open within weeks". The Kathmandu Post. 1 July 2026.
  7. ^ "Nagdhunga-Sisne Khola Tunnel being inaugurated". Kantipur. 27 July 2026. Retrieved 27 July 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ "Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola Tunnel to be inaugurated today". Republica. 27 July 2026. Retrieved 27 July 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ "Nagdhunga tunnel opens today". The Rising Nepal. 27 July 2026. Retrieved 27 July 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ "Nagdhunga tunnel enters operation after years of waiting". Khabarhub. 27 July 2026. Retrieved 27 July 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ Shrestha, Roshan (27 July 2026). "Sunil Lamsal Opens Nagdhunga Tunnel, Operations Begin Today". Khoj Samachar. Retrieved 27 July 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ "Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola Tunnel to be inaugurated today". Republica. 27 July 2026. Retrieved 27 July 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ^ "Nagdhunga-Sisne Khola Tunnel being inaugurated". Kantipur. 27 July 2026. Retrieved 27 July 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ "China-Nepal joint venture to manage Nagdhunga tunnel". The Kathmandu Post. 30 April 2026. Retrieved 27 July 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)


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