Nagdhunga Tunnel Officially Inaugurated, Marking New Era in Nepal's Infrastructure
Summary
Nagdhunga–Sisnekhola tunnel, Nepal's first modern road tunnel, has been officially inaugurated with support from JICA, significantly reducing travel time and traffic congestion at Kathmandu's western gateway. The tunnel will start phased operations prioritizing emergency vehicles before full public access.
Key Points
- Nagdhunga–Sisnekhola tunnel inaugurated as Nepal's first modern road tunnel, marking a milestone in infrastructure development.
- Tunnel reduces travel time from Sisnekhola to Balambu to 7 minutes, easing traffic and improving safety.
- Japan, through JICA, provided approximately 22.3 billion Japanese Yen in concessional loans and technological support for construction.
- Tunnel operations will begin in phases, starting with emergency vehicles; toll fees and RFID-based payment system established for future use.
