The Siddhartha Highway under the Siddhartha Highway has been 'break through' after almost three years of the contract. The length of the tunnel is 1,126 meters. The construction of a tunnel was started as an alternative when accidents started to increase due to frequent landslides on this road section.

Prabhat Kumar Jha, director of the quality research and development center under the road department, said that if there is any problem during the construction, preparations are being made to operate vehicles through the tunnel from November 2018.

"After the break through, it will take more than one and a half years to complete the finishing work inside the tunnel, many structures are still to be built outside the tunnel," said Director Jha.

According to him, the term of the initial contract is until 083 February. But the construction company has been demanding to extend the deadline saying that all the work cannot be completed in that period. "The construction company is demanding an extension of another 9 months due to tree cutting and other work not being able to work at the beginning, but a decision has not been made on this," he said.

He said that if the builders give the requested 9 months and there are no problems, there will be no problem in completing the construction work within that period. According to the project, although the contract was signed in February 078, the tunnel digging work was started from June 080. Before that, due to preparation and cutting of trees, the tunnel could not be dug. 

The first 151-meter, 161-meter second and 130-meter third bypass tunnels have been constructed for convenience and immediate rescue in case of any problems with vehicles inside the tunnel, which has been 'break through' some time ago. 

The tunnel, located in Dobhan, Tinau Rural Municipality-3, Palpa, was 'break through' after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli gave a 'virtual' address on Friday. Earlier, Prime Minister Oli was scheduled to attend, but at the last moment due to health condition, it was 'virtual break through'. Inaugurating the

'virtual', Prime Minister Oli said, 'People used to talk about the construction of a tunnel in the Siddhababa section too, but it is happening.'

'When I laid the foundation stone of Naubise-Nagadhunga tunnel, I said, now Nepal has entered the tunnel age, there is no need to travel by turning vehicles, carrying the fear of accidents in mind,' he said, 'now Nagadhunga-Sisnekhola, Kathmandu-Tarai Madhesh expressway is a road tunnel. After (fast track) there is a 'break through' of the tunnel at Siddhababa.' 

Only 1.8 meters were left to connect the north and south sections of the main tunnel for the 'break through', which was completed on Friday. Deputy Prime Minister and Urban Development Minister Prakashman Singh, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel, Physical Infrastructure and Transport Minister Devendra Dahal, Physical Secretary Keshav Kumar Sharma, National Planning Commission Vice Chairman Shivraj Adhikari, Lumbini Chief Minister Chetnarayan Acharya, state ministers and others were present in the 'Break Through' program.

According to Krishnaraj Adhikari, head of the Siddhababa Tunnel Project Office, the physical progress of the overall construction is 40.18 percent and the financial progress is 39.90 percent. The distance of the two-lane main tunnel is 1126 meters. The width of the main tunnel will be 10.5 meters and the height will be around 7 meters. He said that even if there is a 'break through' of the tunnel, it will take time to adjust the 'lining' and 'slope' inside. 

081 of the first bypass was on Oct 4, the second was on Aug 7 and the third bypass tunnel was 'break through' on Aug 26. Helipads are also planned to be constructed on the north and south sides of the tunnel. Information officer Savita Gyawali said that the work of concreting, waterproofing, road construction, slope, ventilation, lining, lighting, oxygen, safety measures, installation of fire extinguisher etc. is still to be done.