MALEKHU, AUGUST 7
A breakthrough was achieved in the construction of rescue tunnel of the Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola tunnel today.
A breakthrough of rescue tunnel was witnessed today three years and seven months after the beginning of the construction.
The breakthrough was carried out in the presence of Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Prakash Jwala, Japanese Ambassador to Nepal, Kikuta Yutaka, as well as officials from the concerned ministries, Department of Roads and Embassy of Japan.
Minister of State for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Nanda Chapai, MPs, Secretary at the Ministry Keshav Kumar Sharma and others witnessed the breakthrough of the tunnel. Although breakthrough of the main tunnel is still awaited, vehicles can now pass towards Kathmandu and Dhading from the tunnel from today, said Consultancy Engineer Ramesh Prasad Koirala. There are seven cross passage in the 2.5 kilometre long and 4.5 metre wide tunnel.
The length of main tunnel of the project is 2,688 metres. A total of 2,186 metres tunnel has been dug till today. The tunnel is installed as a separate parallel tunnel to provide safe evacuation to road users in case of an emergency, which also has the facility of ventilators and jet fans. 'Nagdhunga Tunnel Construction Project' is the first of its kind in Nepal and its objective is to improve the road condition around Nagdhunga pass, thereby contributing to ensuring smooth transportation network and improving commercial activities between Kathmandu and other cities in Nepal.
Likewise, it will also save time and reduce consumption of fuel and reduce air pollution. The construction of the tunnel began in October 2019 and is expected to be completed by April 2024.
The then prime minister KP Sharma Oli had laid the foundation stone for the construction of the tunnel on 23 October 2019.
A version of this article appears in the print on August 8, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
