The way has been opened for the project to compensate the locals of the affected areas of the Nagadhunga-Sisnekhola tunnel under construction. With the decision of the last cabinet meeting to give in-principle consent for compensation and problem solving under the tunnel project, the demands raised by the locals of the affected areas have been addressed.

About 6 months ago, the Development Assistance Implementation Division of the Road Department appointed a consultant to collect details of the damage to the houses on and around the tunnel. According to which, it was recommended to give full compensation to 18 houses including 7 above the tunnel and partial compensation to 75 houses.

It was also recommended to compensate agricultural produce during the construction of the tunnel. Accordingly, compensation was sent to the Council of Ministers through the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport and a decision was taken accordingly. Sanjay Panthi, senior divisional engineer of the Nagadhunga-Tunnel road construction project, said that despite knowing that the decision has been made by the Cabinet and what is mentioned in the decision is yet to come. "It was sent to the Council of Ministers with a demand for compensation for some houses," he said.

Last December, the locals stopped work for 10 days demanding compensation. Later, after being informed that their demand had been sent to the Cabinet, they gave an ultimatum until January 5 and returned the shutdown. Residents of Chandragiri Municipality-1 and 2 have been repeatedly stopping the work demanding compensation for the houses and land above the tunnel. The progress of the tunnel, which was started on 4th October 2076, is only 82 percent. Currently, lining and finishing work is being done inside the tunnel.

The construction of the flyover is 90 percent complete, the project said. The road department said that it will be difficult to complete the project on time due to frequent work stoppages.

In the budget statement for the financial year 081/82, it was mentioned that the tunnel will be put into operation after completion of all the construction works. But due to frequent obstacles, the work cannot be done in the current financial year. According to the initial agreement, the project duration was till 080 Baisakh.