Nagadhunga tunnel in final preparation for operation, how much fee for which vehicle?

The selection process of the service provider company for the operation of the Nagadhunga-Sisnekhola tunnel has reached its final stage. The joint venture of the Chinese company Yusin and the Nepali company ART, 'Yusin-ART JV', will be responsible for the operation, management, maintenance and traffic management of the tunnel. It is aimed to start the test operation of the tunnel from the last week of Baisakh. Meanwhile, the government has fixed the toll rates for vehicles using the tunnel and published them in the gazette. Accordingly, for cars and vans, entry to Kathmandu will be charged Rs 65 and exit Rs 60. It is estimated that about 859 cars/vans will enter the valley and 646 will leave the valley daily through this route.

Mini buses, trucks and tippers will have to pay Rs 150 when entering the valley and Rs 80 when exiting. The project estimates that about 540 such vehicles will enter the valley and 406 will leave the valley daily. Big buses and trucks will have to pay an entry fee of 260 rupees and an exit fee of 200 rupees while using the tunnel. It is estimated that about 794 such vehicles enter and 597 exit daily. The highest rates are set for large trucks and heavy vehicles (lorries). Such vehicles will have to pay a fee of 600 rupees when entering the valley and 250 rupees when exiting. It is estimated that around 596 big trucks and heavy vehicles enter and 448 exit daily.

Nagadhunga-Sisnekhola Tunnel Traffic Operation Guideline, 2081 has already been issued on 25th March. The directive prohibits pedestrians, two-wheelers, three-wheelers and non-motorized vehicles from entering the tunnel. Also, vehicles carrying highly flammable substances like diesel, petrol, gas and explosives are also prohibited from entering the tunnel. The construction of the tunnel started on October 4, 2076. The deadline was extended due to various reasons that the work should be completed within the stipulated 42 months. About 98 percent of the construction work has been completed, the main tunnel is 2,688 meters long and the emergency tunnel is 2,557 meters long. Japan's Hazma Endo Corporation has taken over the construction of the tunnel. Although the construction work has been completed, the delay in the selection of the service provider has caused a delay in the operation of the tunnel.