Team comprising Minister Jwala makes onsite visit of Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola tunnel route

Kathmandu: Minister for Physical Infrastructures and Transport Prakash Jwala has surveyed the Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola tunnel route.

Minister of State for Physical Infrastructures and Transport Nanda Chapai, lawmaker Rajendra Pandey, former Minister Dr. Ganga Lal Tuladhar, and high officials of the Department of Roads and World Bank were also part of the onsite visit to the tunnel route on Tuesday.

Construction of the tunnelway has reached the final stage. On the occasion, Minister Jwala directed the construction company to complete the construction of the tunnel route within the extended deadline.

He mentioned that the government would facilitate if any practical complexities surface in the construction process. Minister Jwala also enquired about the progress and condition of the tunnel route.

Chief Engineer of the Tunnel Route construction company Narayan Duwad said, 'The main tunnel is yet to be dug for around 400 meters and the rescue tunnel for around 35 meters.' Duwadi said that the construction activities had accelerated to operate vehicles along the tunnel route within the upcoming year.

The foundation stone for the construction of the 2.68 kilometers tunnel route was laid around four years ago. Two tunnels-a nine-meter wide main tunnel and a four-meter wide rescue tunnel- are under construction. The deadline for the tunnel has been extended by 14 months as construction works of the tunnels were obstructed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

RSS