Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has declared open the 2.68-kilometre-long tunnel Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola tunnel on Monday.
Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Dahal said that the completion of the tunnel was an important achievement for Nepal and that it would help realize the national goals of development and road expansion.
Mr Dahal said the passageway would help ease traffic, prevent major road accidents and act as a solution to natural disasters such as landslides during the monsoon season.
Constructed by the Japanese company Hazama-Ando Corporation, the tunnel passes under the western rim of the Kathmandu Valley.
The then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had laid the foundation stone of the project in October 2019.
The Rs 22 billion project also has a 2.6 km four-lane approach road with a service lane on each side.
The approach road will have three bridges, toll booths and a roadside rest area for travellers, officials said.
Deputy Director of the tunnel project, Govinda Dumar, said that works like installing oxygen pipe and electricity are still ongoing.
Comment