Not only tunnels, but all infrastructure barriers should be breached

Siddhababa Tunnel of Butwal-Palpa section of Siddharth Highway is under construction. Dozens of other tunnels are under study. The construction of tunnels to reduce the distance of traffic is a leap in infrastructure construction.

The Nagadhunga-Sisne Khola tunnel is being built to facilitate traffic in the Nagadhunga area where there is heavy traffic jam. 53 months after the construction of this tunnel was started, it was pierced on Monday. Its emergency tunnel was burst on July 22.

The work of this project was started in October 2076 with the goal of completion within 42 months. Due to the corona epidemic, frequent protests of local residents, there has definitely been some delay. Recently, the work was stopped for a month on February 6 due to local protests. Before that, the work was stopped for a while when there was a crack near the tunnel last July. Apart from that, continuous work has been going on in the tunnel. Japanese construction company Hazma Endo Corporation has taken the contract to build the tunnel. While there is a tendency for the construction company to take responsibility for many projects and delay the work, the caution shown in the Nagadhunga-Sisne river tunnel is commendable.

The Nagadhunga-Sisne river tunnel has a loan of 16 billion rupees from the Japan Cooperation Agency (JICA) and an investment of 6 billion rupees from the government of Nepal. Three underpasses, six culverts and one overpass have been constructed since the project started. A door leading from the main tunnel to the emergency tunnel has been constructed, which will be used for quick exit in case of any future incident inside the main tunnel. Towards Balambu

flyover is under construction. The tunnel will be put into operation after the completion of road grading, oxygen and temperature adjustment, lighting and telephone connection, and construction of an emergency rescue room. After that, the journey of the Sisne River, which is reached by covering a distance of eight and a half kilometers from Balambu, will be limited to 2.688 kilometers through the tunnel. The tunnel can be crossed in 3 minutes. Motorcycles, tankers carrying petroleum products, gas bullets will not be allowed to use the tunnel.

Nagadhunga-Sisne river tunnel is also important in terms of manpower generation. Although tunnels are being built for hydropower projects in Nepal, this is a new practice on the road. Although the students studied about tunnels, there was no opportunity to practice tunnel road construction within their own country. Some Nepalis who have worked with Japanese technicians in Nagadhunga-Sisne River have become capable enough to take leadership in other such projects. When preparations are being made to build dozens of tunnels, the production of Nepalese manpower in this way should be considered as a good thing. Construction and operation of the tunnel is creating a new opportunity for employment.

It is seen that it will take another year to complete the operation of the Nagadhunga-Sisne river tunnel due to the need for more construction work.

If there is any disruption/complication in it, the start time may be pushed, which may also increase the cost. Therefore, concerned agencies should pay attention to create an environment where work can be done smoothly. Last month, the government had agreed with the local residents who were protesting to block the work. It should be implemented honestly. The pace of infrastructure construction should be fast and continuous.