KATHMANDU: The Province 3 government has decided to invest in the construction of much-hyped Hetauda-Kathmandu tunnel.

The provincial government had mentioned the tunnel construction as the pride project in its first policy and programmes. However, the private company for the construction had its contract still ongoing with the central government.

The province government is now all set to complete the legal and technical arrangements and coordinate with the local and federal governments to build the tunnel on its own. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructures and Development has said it would announce a tender within three months. It has been estimated that the projects will be completed in three years at the cost of Rs 12 billion.

Chief Minister Dormani Poudel, who is also the Minister for Physical Infrastructures and Development, and other ministers are for the construction of the tunnel. As the underpass is the pride project, the province itself wants to complete it within this term, said Chief Minister Poudel.

CM Poudel further said that the tunnel would be a landmark development to ensure prosperity. Long - term development could be materialized with the construction of the tunnel.

The technical preparation on the modality of the tunnel construction has been finished. The tunnel will be 3.5km long stretching from Bhimphedi to Sisneri and Hetauda-Bhimphedi-Sisneri roadway will be widened.