KATHMANDU, MARCH 17
With just 14 meters left until the Nagdhunga Tunnel breakthrough, construction has been obstructed by locals owing to the project's negligence regarding their demands.
Navin Man Shrestha, the Project Director of the Nagdhunga Tunnel Construction Project, stated that construction has been disrupted for 28 days as locals have put forth both old and new demands.
"Had there been no obstruction, the breakthrough could have been achieved a week ago," Shrestha added, saying that nonetheless, the breakthrough can still occur if we can work continuously for a week. "Due to the obstruction, work on the flyover bridge has been completely halted," Shrestha shared.
Despite having a meeting with the newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Raghubir Mahaseth, it ended inconclusively. Coincidentally, he had inaugurated the project, considering that nine ministers have been changed so far.
Project Director Shrestha quoted Minister Raghubir Mahaseth as saying that he urged the concerned authorities to resolve the demands put forth by the protesting locals.
Gopi Surkheti, former ward chair and chairperson of the Nagdhunga Sisne Khola Tunnel Road Affected Area Drinking Water Consumer Committee, stated, "Since the beginning of the project, we have strongly demanded addressing the issue of drinking water and irrigation facilities in the area."
With the construction of the project, natural springs and water sources have dried up, bringing hardship to locals for supplying running water and irrigation, he added.
"Even though the project has constructed lifting pumps to collect groundwater to supply in the area, how are these poor people going to bear the brunt of the cost of drinking water for the rest of their lives? This is where we are protesting to ensure the supply of running water free of cost," Surkheti vented his ire.
"We had also raised this issue and submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to draw his attention to the matter when he had visited the area, but to no avail," Surkheti lamented.
Due to underground blasting, sinkholes and cracks have appeared in some of the houses of locals," Surkheti said, adding, "These properties are now useless as they won't receive good valuation if the owners want to take a loan from a financial institution."
"Is the project and government not responsible for the consequences that we poor would have to face?" Surkheti questioned with despair, stating that they are not against development, but the government should declare the region as an affected area.
Tara Bahadur KC, one among the 11 households relocated to a nearby location due to inhabitable conditions or damage caused by the ongoing tunnel construction, stated, "We have been relocated to a nearby location where the rent is being paid by the project."
Similarly, three households were also enlisted to be relocated owing to noise pollution. Govinda Lama remarked, "After the Environmental Assessment Report, we have been relocated to a nearby location for nine months." He further expressed, "Not only has the project displaced us, but it has also caused significant damage to our house," as his wife pointed out a crack in the basement wall.
Additionally, his adjoining neighbors, including Sumitra Pokhrel, who was also relocated, stated, "Due to landslips, it's almost impossible to lock the doors and windows due to the imbalance."
Similarly, her neighbor Yagya Bahadur Karki shared a similar tale of cracks in the pillars and slabs owing to the ongoing construction. He added, "Even though we were enlisted in the relocation list, due to my own personal reasons, I have not been able to relocate."
Project Director Navin Man Shrestha said, "The issue related to drinking water and irrigation is beyond our jurisdiction. Although we have constructed pumps for lifting water, the long-term needs of the locals must be addressed by the concerned departments and other tiers of government."
"The compensation or repair cost for the affected houses will be addressed once the detailed survey report from the geological study is available, which is expected within a few months," Shrestha said, adding We are also eagerly awaiting the report, which should be due within a month or two, and will decide accordingly.
Referring to the issue related to toll tax collected from the tunnel, Shrestha said, "We are undecided on this matter regarding how it will be collected and who will collect it, as we neither have the body to collect it nor the regulations to control it."
"The government would decide on this matter and determine whether the locals would benefit from it or not," Shrestha clarified.
One of the national pride projects and the first of its kind in terms of transportation tunnels, out of 2.688 km, 2.674 km of the main tunnel have been completed so far.
With its completion, the road will be shortened by seven and a half kilometers, minimizing traffic jams and hassles along the road before reaching Nagdhunga.
According to Project Director Navin Man Shrestha, 72 percent of physical work and 63 percent of financial work have been completed thus far. However, works related to tunnel lining, flyover construction, pavement laying, lighting installation, and ventilation are yet to commence.
"There is a possibility that the contractor may ask for an extension to the deadline if the work does not resume anytime soon," said Shrestha.
Japan's Hajma Ando Corporation was awarded the contract for Rs 13.5 billion for the construction of the project, the completion of which was due within 42 months.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had laid the foundation stone of the project on November 10, 2019.
