Kathmandu, July 27: Nepal’s first road tunnel, the Nagdhunga–Sisnekhola Tunnel, is set to be officially inaugurated today, marking a major milestone in the country’s transport infrastructure.

The inauguration ceremony will be attended by Minister for Infrastructure Development Sunil Lamsal, Japanese Ambassador Maeda Toru, the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and other senior officials.

Following the inauguration, the project contractor will formally hand over the tunnel to the Government of Nepal. According to the programme schedule, the official opening will take place at 10:25 am, with Minister Lamsal, Ambassador Maeda, and the JICA President driving through the tunnel to mark the commencement of operations.

Initially, only ambulances, security vehicles, and other emergency service vehicles will be allowed to use the tunnel as authorities conduct operational and safety tests. After several days of trial operations and assessments of traffic management and safety systems, the tunnel will be opened to all eligible vehicles. No toll will be charged during the testing period.

The 2,688-metre-long tunnel will eventually operate on a toll system. According to the Department of Roads, cars and vans will pay Rs 65 when entering Kathmandu and Rs 60 when exiting. Minibuses, trucks and tippers will be charged Rs 115 inbound and Rs 80 outbound, while buses and heavy trucks will pay Rs 260 entering Kathmandu and Rs 200 when leaving.

Pedestrians, motorcycles, three-wheelers, and vehicles carrying flammable materials such as petrol, diesel, gas, or explosives will not be permitted inside the tunnel.

The project consists of a main tunnel for vehicular traffic and a parallel rescue tunnel for emergency operations. The tunnel was constructed by Japan’s Hazama Ando Corporation.

According to project consultant engineer Ramesh Prasad Koirala of Nippon Koei, the tunnel is equipped with modern safety features, including fire-fighting systems, emergency rescue facilities, CCTV surveillance, communication equipment, security mechanisms, and continuous oxygen ventilation to ensure safe and efficient travel.

The tunnel begins at Totipakha, Dahachok in Chandragiri Municipality-1 of Kathmandu and exits at Sisnekhola in Dhunibesi Municipality of Dhading. It is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion on the existing Nagdhunga highway section, shorten travel time by nearly one hour, and lower fuel consumption.

The project was financed through a concessional loan of approximately Rs 21 billion from the Government of Japan, along with around Rs 6 billion contributed by the Government of Nepal.

Electronic toll collection systems have already been installed for future operations. Although the tunnel was originally scheduled for completion within 42 months, the project was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other technical challenges.