The Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola Tunnel Construction Project is Nepal's first vehicular road tunnel, implemented by the Department of Roads (DoR) under the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, supported by a concessional loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Below is the verified record of its structural parameters, technical scope, and historical milestones.
Key Project Facts (Official Documents)
- Main Tunnel Length: 2,688 meters (connecting Totipakha, Chandragiri, Kathmandu to Sisnekhola, Dhunibesi, Dhading) [Department of Roads Project Profile].
- Evacuation / Escape Tunnel Length: 2,557 meters (built parallel to the main tunnel with 7 cross-passage connections) [DoR Project Progress Report].
- Loan Agreement: Japanese ODA Loan Agreement signed on December 22, 2016 for up to 16.636 billion Japanese Yen [JICA Press Release, Dec 22, 2016].
- Main Contractor & Consultant: Hazama Ando Corporation (Contractor) and Nippon Koei Co., Ltd. (Supervising Consultant).
1. Project Objective and Background
The project aims to improve transportation capacity and traffic safety along the hazardous winding curves of the Nagdhunga-Naubise section of the Tribhuvan Highway. The concessional loan agreement was formally signed between the Government of Nepal and JICA on December 22, 2016 (JICA Press Release, 2016), leading to the commencement of active physical construction in late 2019.
2. Tunnel Structure
The infrastructure comprises two parallel tubes: a 2,688-meter two-lane main tunnel designed for vehicular passage and a 2,557-meter dedicated evacuation tunnel. The evacuation tunnel connects to the main tunnel at 7 cross-passage locations to ensure an emergency escape route (Department of Roads, Development Assistance Coordination Division).
3. Verified Milestones and Inauguration
According to official project records from the Department of Roads and JICA:
- Evacuation Tunnel Breakthrough: Achieved on August 7, 2023 (22 Shrawan 2080) (DoR Notice).
- Main Tunnel Breakthrough: Achieved on April 15, 2024 (3 Baisakh 2081) (DoR Official Milestone Release).
- Project Completion & Official Inauguration: Held on July 28, 2026, marking the formal completion ceremony in coordination with JICA and the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (JICA Official Announcement, July 28, 2026).
The July 28, 2026 milestone marked construction completion and ceremonial inauguration; public and commercial vehicular traffic opening will proceed once the Department of Roads finalizes operational safety regulations and traffic protocols (JICA Announcement; Department of Roads).
