Nagdhunga–Naubise tunnel road set to open for vehicles by Shrawan

Kathmandu – Preparations are underway to open the Nagdhunga–Naubise tunnel road for vehicular operation starting from the month of Shrawan.

With the operation of Nepal’s much-anticipated tunnel road project, traffic on the Naubise–Nagdhunga road section is expected to become smoother. The project director of the Nagdhunga Tunnel Road Construction Project, Saujanya Nepal, informed that internal preparations have begun to operate the Nagdhunga tunnel road by Shrawan.

“Most of the work inside the tunnel has been completed. We are conducting necessary tests on how to manage traffic and conduct rescues in case of emergencies inside the tunnel,” he said. “Only the work to prevent landslides outside the tunnel remains.”

The Nagdhunga–Naubise tunnel road spans a total length of 2,688 meters. According to the initial contract agreement, this project was supposed to be completed by April 26, 2023. However, due to delays by the contractor company and obstructions from local residents, the construction work has not progressed as planned.

Currently, the project is focusing on the operation and management practice of the tunnel road. Director Nepal claimed that the process of selecting a bank to collect tolls and printing cards for using the Nagdhunga–Naubise tunnel road has already progressed.

The project has arranged for three modes of toll payment for vehicles using the Nagdhunga–Naubise tunnel road. Payments can be made manually in cash by the driver, by scanning a QR code, or by using a high-capacity camera to read a sticker affixed to the vehicle.

Through a bidding process, Yusin ART Company has been awarded the responsibility for the operation, management, and maintenance of the tunnel road for five years at a cost of Rs 1.10 billion. Director Nepal stated that the toll collected from vehicles using the tunnel road will be deposited into the account of the Road Board Nepal by the manager.

Ten companies had submitted applications for this bid. The company will operate the tunnel road 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. “A workforce of 150 people will be deployed for the management and operation of the tunnel road,” he said. “When the tunnel road is fully operational, 40 employees will be deployed at once during the daytime peak hours.”

Currently, internal preparations are ongoing inside the tunnel road. The target is to complete all types of preparations by Ashadh and start vehicle operations through the tunnel road. According to the project, an average of over eight thousand small and large vehicles, excluding two-wheelers, pass through the Nagdhunga–Naubise area daily, entering and exiting Kathmandu.

Director Nepal estimated that about 60 percent of the vehicles entering and exiting through the Nagdhunga–Naubise road section will use the tunnel road. According to the project, two-wheeled vehicles will not be allowed to use this tunnel road.

Here are the toll charges for using the tunnel road

On Chaitra 26, 2082, the government published a notice in the Gazette setting the toll charges for vehicles using the Nagdhunga–Naubise tunnel road. The government has set different tolls for vehicles using the tunnel road based on their capacity.

For cars, vans, pickups, tractors, microbuses, and other light vehicles, the toll is set at Rs 65 for entering Kathmandu and Rs 60 for departing from Kathmandu.

Similarly, for minibuses and mini tippers/trucks, the toll is set at Rs 125 for entering Kathmandu and Rs 80 for departing.

For buses and trucks (single rear axle), the toll is set at Rs 260 for entering Kathmandu and Rs 200 for departing.

For multi-axle trucks, vehicles, and heavy equipment, the toll is set at Rs 600 for entering Kathmandu and Rs 250 for departing.