Locals have again obstructed the work of Nagadhunga-Sisnekhola tunnel, which is in the final stage of construction. While the pace of construction is increasing, the locals of Tutipakha located in Chandragiri Municipality-2 have interrupted the work saying that the demands that have been fulfilled must be managed.

This is not the first incident where the locals obstructed the construction of the tunnel. The locals have blocked the construction for the sixth time since the construction started. 

Currently, work has stopped on both Kathmandu and Dhading. According to the Nagadhunga-Tunnel construction project, there are 400 workers at the construction site. The construction of the flyover and under-tunnel in Kisipdi area of ​​Balambu has reached its final stage. At this time, the risk of the builders claiming a large amount as compensation has increased after the locals did not allow them to work. 

The construction company said that the loss of more than 50 million is lost when the work is stopped for a day. The locals of this area have been obstructing the work by putting forward one demand after another. The project has also addressed many demands of the locals in the affected area. Some demands are being addressed. Gopi Surkheti, a resident of Chandragiri Municipality-2 claims that the struggle program was started after seeing that the agreements made with the project were not implemented. 

'Drinking water is enough, but after handing over this project to Chandragiri Municipality, it will manage the water for the local people,' Surkheti said, 'Until now, the project has been managing the water supply, electricity used in it, staff and maintenance. But we should be provided with free drinking water.''

Surkheti was the ward president here before. When he was the ward president, he warned that the project would not meet the demand and stop the work. After the Ward President himself issued a warning that the construction would be stopped from 19th December 2077 if the demands of the locals were not met, it was opposed everywhere. Now again, under his leadership, the work has been stopped by moving forward the demands that have been completed and are in the process of being completed. The work has been interrupted by putting forward demands such as giving proper compensation for the cracked houses, and guaranteeing employment to the residents of the affected areas based on their qualifications and abilities. 

Sanjay Panthi, Senior Divisional Engineer of Nagadhunga-Tunnel construction project, said that there was a problem when the work had to be stopped suddenly while the work was going on at speed. "As many demands have been raised, almost all have been addressed," he said. He said that there is a risk of demanding a large amount of compensation from the builders when the work is repeatedly interrupted. The project says that it will be difficult to complete the work of the tunnel if the construction is obstructed in this way.  Panthi said that six people have been employed in the water supply project and water is being provided to the affected through two borings. Work was underway to bring the tunnel into operation by October 2082. Panthi says that when the work is stopped, it will be difficult to complete it within the stipulated time. 87 percent of the construction of the tunnel, which was started on November 4, 2076, has been completed. Now the work of crankkit slope (road) is being done inside the tunnel. 

Currently, the project says that it will take 33 minutes to reach Balumbu from Sisnekhola via Nagadhunga road and 23 minutes when leaving. But the project says that after the tunnel is operational, the KCPD of Balambu will be reached from Sisne river within 7 minutes. Emergency and main tunnels are constructed separately. The distance of the emergency tunnel is 2,557 meters. The distance between Tutipakha in Chandragiri in Kathmandu and Sisne river in Dhunibensi Municipality in Dhading is 2,688 meters. 

The road distance from Kisipdi in Balambu to the mouth of the tunnel is 2.307 km. Currently, road paving is being done on the third level in two lanes. After the tunnel is put into operation, not only the distance and time will be reduced, but also the fuel cost of vehicles will be reduced. Currently, fire fighting and lighting installation work is being done inside the tunnel. The ventilation connection work is also in progress. The work of putting railings and painting the walls is in the process of completion.