Kathmandu. Nepal’s first modern road tunnel way, the Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola tunnel way linking Kathmandu and Dhading has reached the final stage of operation. The project, which is expected to usher in a new era in the country’s transport infrastructure, is considered to be of multi-dimensional importance.

The foundation stone of the tunnel was laid by the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in Kartik 2076 BS. The initial cost of the project was estimated to be around Rs. 22 billion, but due to geological problems, design change and other reasons, the cost has escalated to more than Rs. 27 billion. The contract was awarded to Japanese company Hazma-Ando JV with concessional loan from the Government of Japan. Initially, the project was supposed to be completed in 42 months by 2078/80, but due to various technical and geographical problems, the construction work was completed by 2082. Yuxin-ART, a Chinese joint venture company, has been awarded the contract to operate the Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola tunnel.The Project Office under the Department of Roads has awarded the contract to Yuxin-ART for five years including tax at a cost of Rs 1.10 billion. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has also made public the public fee of vehicles plying on the Nagdhunga tunnel road.

Issuing a notice in the gazette, the Ministry said that the Council of Ministers has made public the rates as per the decision to collect fees from the vehicles plying along the Nagdhunga Tunnel Road section in exercise of the powers given by Section 6 (sub-section (1) of the Road Board Act, 2058. Accordingly, the price for cars, vans, pick-up tractors, micro buses and other light vehicles has been fixed at Rs 65 for entering Kathmandu and Rs 60 for exiting.The entry fee for mini-bus, mini tipper truck is Rs 115 and exiting is Rs 80. The price for buses and trucks (single rear axle) has been fixed at Rs 260 for entry and Rs 200 for exit.

The price for multi-axle truckers and heavy equipment has been fixed at Rs 600 for entry and Rs 250 for exit.