PM holds discussions to operate Nagdhunga tunnel

Kathmandu, July 7: The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers held discussions with stakeholders on Monday for the construction of the Tokha-Chahare tunnel, operating the Nagdhunga tunnel and resolving the issues surfaced in the road expansion of the Syaphrubensi-Rasuwagadhi section.

The discussion focused on expediting the infrastructure development works from the beginning of the new fiscal year and ensuring reforms in the traffic management along the major highways during the upcoming festive season.

Regarding the construction of the Tokha-Chahare tunnel, the Ministry of Forest and Environment, and other agencies have been directed to facilitate on their part to resolve the misunderstanding and complete the tasks to be done from the Chinese side for development of environmental impact assessment report and its approval and as well as the feasibility study of the project, Prime Minister’s secretary Binod Bahadur Kunwar said.

Likewise, legal provisions and modalities for the operation of the Nagdhunga tunnel and the issues to be addressed there were also discussed. Similarly, the contract for the blacktop of the remaining 19 km of the Syaphrubensi-Rasuwagadhi section would be done in the upcoming fiscal year, and the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport will facilitate the issues there.

So far, 38 km of the road section has been completed after its blacktop. PM’s Economic Advisor Dr Yubraj Khatiwada, Public Relations Advisor Kiran Paudel, secretaries Raj Kumar Shrestha, Keshav Kumar Sharma, Rajendra Prasad Mishra, Rabilal Pantha and others were present at the meeting.