November 5: The construction of Nagdhunga-Naubise Tunnel Project has gained pace after the government lifted lockdown and other restrictions. A technical team of the contractor company Hamza Ando Corporation as well as necessary equipment have already arrived at the construction site. The work of digging the tunnel is expected to get completed within two weeks.

The Nagdhunga-Naubise Tunnel Project will start digging the tunnel from the western side at Sisnekhola. Later, the tunnel will also be dug from the eastern side or Kathmandu, informed acting project chief Naresh Man Shakya.

The timeframe for completion of the project had been delayed due to the problems in bringing machines and technical team to the field. Now, the work has been  resumed to compensate for the delay.

“The work could not be done as per the schedule. In order to avoid the possibility of extending the contract agreement, we have set a target to work accordingly to meet the deadline,” said Shakya, adding, “Looking at the current progress, the chances of delay are slim.”

As per the agreement signed with the Department of Roads, the contractor must complete the  project within 42 months.

A 20-member technical team from Japan is arriving for drilling works while the process to bring in additional 20 technicians is underway.

The contractor company has already brought 300 tons of explosives to the construction site while its total requirement of explosives is 900 tons.

The foundation stone of the project was laid on October 21, 2019 but the main work of tunnel construction will begin only after a year. Currently, the project officials are building culverts and other supporting structures.

The project officials claim that they will complete the work on time.

The project is being undertaken with the concessional loan provided by the Government of Japan. The total investment for the project is estimated to be around Rs 22 billion. JICA will invest Rs 16 billion while the Government of Nepal will contribute Rs 6 billion.

The tunnel will be of 2.7 kilometers long and will have two flyovers. The project will also cover 3 kilometers of road.

The Thankot-Naubise road section is currently 9 kilometers long. The distance will be shortened to 5.7 kilometers once the tunnel is constructed.