Nepal's Tunnel Era: Balancing Economic Viability and Infrastructure Development
Summary
Nepal is entering its tunnel era with the near-operational Nagdhunga Tunnel, focusing on economically viable projects to improve road travel safety and efficiency in mountainous regions.
Key Points
- Nepal is preparing to operate its first modern Nagdhunga Tunnel, marking the start of a new tunnel era.
- Only 4 to 5 out of 16 studied tunnel projects in Nepal are economically viable for immediate construction.
- Tunnel construction costs are 15 to 20 times higher than standard roads, necessitating careful cost-benefit analyses.
- Technology transfer from foreign contractors has enabled Nepali engineers and contractors to build and manage tunnel projects, potentially reducing future costs.
