The service provider for the operation of the Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola tunnel route is to be selected through an international bidding process. The project has already invited bids for that on 16 Kartik. Accordingly, the responsibility of operating the tunnel will be given to the international service provider.

The project had stated that the tunnel would be operational from the beginning of the English New Year 2026 . However, the operation time has been pushed back due to delays in selecting the service provider . The project claims that work is underway to bring the tunnel into operation from the first week of Falgun, if not by the end of Magh.

Saujanya Nepal, Project Director of the Nagdhunga Tunnel Construction Project, said that a notice has been issued giving 45 days to select the service provider. ‘We will open the bid for the selection of the service provider on 2 Pus, this is an international bid,’ he said, ‘After that, it will take another month to complete the evaluation work . Therefore, it will take three months to complete the process.’ Nepal says that if the number of bidders is large, it may take more time to complete the evaluation work .

‘This is a task to be done after the bid is opened,’ Nepal said, ‘We were preparing to operate the tunnel from 15 Pus.’ But not all the work was completed at that time. Nepal said that efforts will be made to complete the evaluation process for selecting the service provider by 16th Magh.

The landslide management project near the mouth of the tunnel towards Dhading has become a challenge. ‘We can also do the landslide management work by the time the service provider is selected.’ Because both these works are done simultaneously,’ Nepal said, ‘After that, we will open the tunnel to the public after completing all the work.’

Nepal said that the design work to prevent landslides is being done by a Japanese consultant. ‘The equipment installed inside the tunnel, including the CC camera, light, jet fan, has been tested,’ he said, ‘The consultant has given various options for landslide management. We will start its work after finalizing the procedure within a few days.’

Nepal said that so far, 97 percent of the tunnel construction has been completed and only the landslide management work remains. The project has stated that the rains last October caused a landslide near the mouth of the tunnel towards Dhading, adding to the problem. Similarly, a toll plaza and a radio frequency identification (RFID) gate are being constructed. The government has already set a fee for vehicles using the tunnel. The Council of Ministers meeting held on 26th Shrawan, on the proposal of Road Board Nepal, has approved the implementation of the fee. It is estimated that the tunnel operation will cost 250 million to 300 million rupees annually.

Vehicles will be charged a fee for using the tunnel. As per the fee set by the government, cars and vans will be charged 65 rupees when entering Kathmandu and 60 rupees when leaving. The project estimates that about 859 such vehicles will enter and 646 will exit daily. Similarly, a fee of 115 rupees has been set for minibuses, trucks and tippers entering Kathmandu and 80 rupees when leaving. The project says that 540 of these vehicles will enter the valley daily and 460 will exit.

Buses and trucks will have to pay a toll of Rs 260 when entering Kathmandu through the tunnel and Rs 200 when exiting through the same route. The project office estimates that 794 such vehicles will enter and 597 will exit daily. Large trucks and heavy vehicles (lorries) will have to pay a toll of Rs 600 when entering the valley and Rs 250 when exiting through the tunnel. The project estimates that 596 of these vehicles will enter and 448 will exit daily.