The project has started the process of compensating the locals of the affected area of ​​Nagadhunga-Sisnekhola tunnel under construction. In terms of providing compensation to the locals of the affected areas, the cabinet meeting on December 28 decided to give an in-principle agreement.

The agreement in principle has been sent to the Nagadhunga-Tunnel construction project through the Road Department through the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport. Sanjay Panthi, senior divisional engineer of the project, said that the process for compensation has been started after the agreement came on Sunday.

"In terms of compensation, we will take the study report prepared by the consultant to the district administration office in Kathmandu and make a decision," Panthi said, "Then after the evaluation by the building department under the Ministry of Urban Development, the compensation can be given." He says that it will take some time. 

About 7 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 this, 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.

According to the project, the compensation was sent to the Council of Ministers through the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport and the decision was made accordingly. "There is no need to compensate the structures above the tunnel, we appointed a consultant and studied some houses that were damaged during construction," Panthi said, "This project is not a matter for us to decide, it was sent to the Council of Ministers and a decision was made from there." 

Last December, the locals stopped work for 10 days demanding compensation. Later, after being informed that their demand was sent to the Cabinet, the bandh was withdrawn. Locals of Chandragiri Municipality-1 and 2 have been stopping the work several times, demanding compensation for the houses and land on the tunnel. The progress of the tunnel, which was started on October 4, 2076, is only 85 percent. 

The project has said that 95 percent of the flyover construction work towards Balambu has been completed. The road department says that it is difficult to complete the project within the stipulated time due to frequent work stoppages. In the budget statement for the financial year 2081/82, it was mentioned that the tunnel will be put into operation after completion of all construction works. But due to frequent obstacles, the work cannot be done in the current financial year.

According to the initial agreement, the duration of the project was till 2080 Baisakh. After the work was not completed within that time, the deadline was extended till 13 Baisakh, 2081, but the work was not completed. As the work could not be completed within that time, the deadline has been extended till October 2082. It is claimed that the project will be completed within the specified time without any problems.

'The difficult hill is being improved in front of the tunnel towards Dhading, the last level of blackening is being done on the road leading from the flyover to the tunnel mouth in Kathmandu,' Panthi said, 'The compensation of about 5 annas of land belonging to the flyover has been completed, that too has been completed.' The road distance from the mouth of the tunnel to Tutipakha is 2.307 km. The two-lane road is in the process of completion. Now the project says that the speed of work has increased.