Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Monday laid the foundation for the road tunnel to connect Nagdhunga with Sisne Khola in Dhading. The project, being developed by Japanese company Hamza Ando JV, will build a 2.6 km tunnel, which comes with a price tag of Rs 22 billion. It is expected to ease congestion on the Tribhuvan Highway, the lifeline of Kathmandu.
However, this isn’t the only tunnel way that the government hopes to build in the coming years. The government plans to construct at least 15 more tunnel highways across the country, and feasibility studies of these tunnels are currently underway, according to the Department of Roads. While three of the 16 tunnels are on the Kathmandu-Nijgadh fast track, two strategically important as they connect Nepal with China. “Nearly Rs 600 million has been set aside for tunnel development,” informed the department’s spokesperson Shiva Hari Sapkota.
Tunnels being planned:
- Kathmandu Terai Fastrack (Mahadev Danda, Dhedre and Len Danda)
- Tokha-Chhahare-Gurjubhanjyang & Betrawati-Shyaprubesi (Ghattekhola)
- Siddhababa
- Thankot-Chitlang
- Kulekhani-Bhimphedi
- Koteshwor-Jadibuti
- Godavari-Manechaur
- Butwal-Narayanghat Daunne Ukalo
- Kailali’s Khutiya-BP Nagar-Dipayal
- Hemja-Nayapul
- Lama Bagar in Dolakha
- Khurkot-Chiyabari
While some of the projects are yet to reach the pre-feasibility stage, others have already seen some progress.
Kathmandu Terai Fastrack (Mahadev Danda, Dhedre and Len Danda)
According to officials, tenders for the Mahadev Danda, Dhedre and Len Danda tunnels are to be issued soon. This comes as the Cabinet recently approved the detailed project report of the much-talked-about Kathmandu Terai Fastrack. The DPR says that a 3.3 km-long tunnel will be constructed on Mahadev Danda, 1.6 km tunnel in Dhedre and 1.4 km-long tunnels on Len Danda.
Tokha-Chhahare-Gurjubhanjyang & Betrawati-Shyaprubesi (Ghattekhola)
An agreement was signed between Nepal and China during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Kathmandu to expedite the development of this tunnel. The Chinese side said it will conduct a feasibility study of the tunnel to connect Kerung with Kathmandu. According to government plans, a 5 km tunnel will connect Tokha, Chhahare and Gurjubhanjyang and a 24 km-long shall connect Betrawati in Nuwakot with Rasuwagadhi on the Nepal-China border. A pre-feasibility study for the tunnels is ongoing.
Siddhababa
The department of roads asked the Swiss government to submit a report for the proposed tunnel along the Siddhartha Highway. The Swiss government has already submitted its report for the construction of the 1.24 km-long Sidhababa tunnel. “We are looking for funds and will start the construction as soon as we can,” informed Sapkota.
Thankot-Chitlang
The Swiss government is looking into the possibility of a tunnel to connect Chitlang with Thankot. The tunnel shall connect Thaha Municipality in Makwanpur and Kathmandu. This tunnel will shorten the distance between Kathmandu and Hetauda and will also reduce traffic on the Tribhuvan Highway.
Kulekhani-Bhimphedi
The Khulekhani–Bhimphedi tunnel shall be around 4 km long. The Province 3 government has announced it wants to take up the project.
Koteshwor-Jadibuti
To curb the traffic jam in Koteshwor (Kathmandu), a tunnel joining Koteshwor and Jadibuti in Kathmandu is also being planned. The Japanese government is to conduct a feasibility study of the project. Along with that, the Department of Road is also planning an underpass in Baneshwor.
Godavari-Manechaur
The tunnel shall connect Godavari in Lalitpur to Manechaur in Kavre. Details of tunnel are yet to be finalised.
Butwal-Narayanghat-Daunne
The pre-feasibility study of the Daaune Ukalo (East-West Highway, has already been completed. The tunnel is expected to be 6 km long.
Khutiya (Kailali)-BP Nagar-Dipayal
Kailali’s Khutiya-BP Nagar-Dipayal tunnel being studied.
Hemja-Nayapul
The proposed length of the Hemja-Nayapul in Kaski tunnel is 8 km.
Lama Bagar (Dolakha)
The department plans to construct a 3 km-long tunnel in Dolakha’s Lama Bagar along the north-south highway.
Khurkot-Chiyabari
The department is also looking into the Khurkot-Chiyabari section along the BP Highway for a tunnel. As of now, a 6 km tunnel is being planned to replace the snake-like bends on the road.
