It has been 62 months since the construction of Nagadhunga-Sisnekhola tunnel started. According to the added time, the construction should be completed by October 2082. So far, construction progress has reached 85 percent. Japan's 16.5 billion subsidized loan and Nepal government's investment of 6 billion rupees in tunnel construction. The construction of the tunnel, which was started on October 4, 2007, was supposed to be completed within 42 months. However, the project claims that the work could not be completed within the stipulated time due to covid and local obstacles.
Bimal Khatiwada of Kantipur had a brief conversation with Bimal Khatiwada of Kantipur with Deputy Director General of Development Assistance Implementation Division of the Road Department Vijay Jaisi about the operation of the first road tunnel:
What is being done on the Nagadhunga-Sisnekhola tunnel ?
Main - The main task has been completed . Now concrete road construction is going on. As this work is also in the final stage, there is not much work left. Ventilation, lighting connection work is also being done .
If so, how long will the tunnel be operational?
082 October is the last time. Now the speed of work has increased . If there is no problem, the tunnel will be operational before the deadline.
Kathmandu's Nagadhunga, why is it necessary to build a tunnel in Tutipakakha?
The dangerous area starts after reaching the Sisnekhola section while going uphill to Naubise . Which is the awkward part . Where there were many accidents. The road grade is also high. The hills in this section are not strong. Landslides have caused problems in this section in the past . There were also human losses. Last October, a landslide occurred in Jhaple river, 2.7 km from Nagadhunga check post. Where landslides were not imagined . 35 people were killed when two parked buses and a passenger bus were swept away by a landslide. The risk of accidents in this section will be eliminated after the tunnel is operational. Saves time . The cost of vehicle operation and maintenance is reduced. Saves fuel .
How much distance and time will be shortened after the tunnel is operational?
It doesn't have much distance like in other tunnels . Travel time decreases . Get relief from daily traffic jams. Now, according to the feasibility study, it takes 33 minutes to reach Kisipdi in Balambu via Nagadhunga road from Sisnekhola and 23 minutes to exit. However, after the tunnel is operational, it will be possible to come from Sisnekhola to Kisipdi in Balambu in 7 minutes .
Flyover work is also being done in Kisipdi area in Balambu, how much work has been completed?
This is Nepal's first flyover. Its construction was also technically challenging. 95 percent of its work has been completed. Railings are in progress . The third layer of asphalt is being laid on the two-lane road leading from the flyover to the tunnel.
This tunnel has reached the final stage of construction, how are the preparations for its operation?
The demand of many is that the road has become long, and a tunnel should be built to reduce the distance. But tunnel construction is not that easy. The cost of construction is high, there are problems during the construction and the operation cost after construction is also high . It should be operated round the clock . Accordingly, manpower and machine-tools are required .
Currently, it is estimated that the Nagadhunga tunnel will cost 40 million rupees annually to operate . How much the toll fee will be raised and how easy it will be will be known only after the operation. Therefore, tunnels should be built only in essential places . Otherwise, it does not seem appropriate to invest in tunnels where it is not necessary .
Will this tunnel route be operated by the government or will it be entrusted to the private sector?
Initially, our approach was to be operated by the road department. Later, while understanding and preparing for this, it was seen that the operating expenses will be expensive. It was found that more than 100 permanent employees are needed and employees should be deployed around the clock. Therefore, the option of awarding a contract to a third party for 5 years has been put forward . We have advanced the work for this . Many policy decisions have been made about this . This is Nepal's first road tunnel. Therefore, there is a need to make rules and laws. We are ready for it.
Which vehicles will not be allowed to pass through this tunnel?
Vehicles carrying inflammable substances, motorcycles and vehicles with higher load capacity will not be allowed to use this tunnel . Other vehicles will be allowed to use the tunnel. Upgrading of Sisnekhola to Nagadhunga uphill section is being done now. Vehicles that cannot use the tunnel can travel back and forth through the said road. For using the tunnel, the driver has to pay a fixed fee. It has not yet been decided how much to charge.
How will this tunnel help in the transfer of technology related to construction in the future ?
This tunnel will not shorten the distance much . It is a tunnel built in Kathmandu. So it has become easy for all of us to understand about technology . Although the contract was taken by the Japanese company Hazma Endo Corporation, there are many Nepalis working there. Those who worked here could go to work in other tunnels tomorrow. Road department technicians also got the opportunity to learn .
How to make a tunnel first? I was afraid of what would happen. Everyone got an opportunity to learn after going to construction. As the first road is a tunnel, laws regarding this operation are being prepared . The manpower who worked here would be used in the construction of tunnels in other places . So that there is no need to face foreign manpower . There is a difference between the construction of tunnels for hydropower projects and the construction of tunnels for vehicles.
