Nepal’s First Highway Tunnel Nears Completion: The Nagdhunga–Sisnekhola Project

The Nagdhunga–Sisnekhola tunnel, Nepal’s first highway tunnel, is scheduled to open in January 2026. Project chief Saujanya Nepal confirmed that construction has reached its final stage, with only slope reinforcement near the Sisnekhola entrance remaining. Preparations for operation are underway, including the selection of the operating authority through bids to be invited within the next 15 days.

Testing of the tunnel’s critical systems is progressing. Jet fans, CCTV cameras, lighting, firefighting systems, and communication networks are undergoing comprehensive trials to ensure seamless integration. Landslide prevention work on the Dhading side, halted during the monsoon, will resume in September. On the Kathmandu side, the Kisipidi flyover has been completed, with road marking now in progress.

The 2,688-metre-long main tunnel is supported by a 2,557-metre emergency tunnel, designed to improve safety during unforeseen events. An approach road of 2.3 km, including bridges and toll booths, has also been built to facilitate smooth access.

The Cabinet has approved toll fees following recommendations from the Nepal Road Board. For the first two years, cars and vans will pay Rs65 when entering Kathmandu and Rs60 when exiting. Mini buses, trucks, and tippers will pay Rs115 entering and Rs80 exiting. Larger buses and trucks will be charged Rs260 entering and Rs200 exiting, while heavy trucks will pay Rs600 entering and Rs250 exiting. These rates are based on expected daily traffic volumes exceeding 3,000 vehicles.

Operation guidelines, issued in April, specify that pedestrians, two- and three-wheelers, bicycles, and non-motorised vehicles will not be permitted. Vehicles carrying flammable materials or explosives, as well as oversized and overloaded vehicles, will also be restricted.

Construction began in October 2019 with an initial 42-month schedule but faced delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic and local protests. Despite challenges, 94.5 percent of the project is now complete. The total cost is estimated at Rs22 billion, financed through a concessional loan from Japan and contributions from the Nepal government.

The tunnel is expected to reduce travel time between Sisnekhola and Balambhu from over 30 minutes to just seven. It will bypass 19 hairpin bends and steep sections prone to landslides, greatly improving safety and reliability along one of Nepal’s busiest corridors. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal previously described the breakthrough as a milestone for Nepal’s entry into the “tunnel age,” marking a new chapter in national infrastructure development.