Hazma to construct Nagdhunga Tunnel way, project period 42 months

Kathmandu, Sept 23: The construction agreement on Nagdhunga Tunnel way has been forged on Monday. An agreement for the construction of the tunnel way to be completed within 42 months was signed today.

The Hazama Ando Corporation of Japan has been contracted for the purpose. The total cost of the tunnel way would be Rs 22 billion including compensation to the affected people.

According to Department of Road, Implementation Division chief Arjun Jung Thapa, Nepal government would allocate Rs six billion for the compensation to the land acquisition victims.

The government so far has distributed Rs four billion as compensation for the purpose. It is stated that the additional three kilometer road section and two fly over adjoining the tunnel way would be constructed by the same fund.

The fund for the purpose is received as soft loan from the government of Japan. The tunnel will help reduce traffic congestion for entering Kathmandu via west part of Nepal, the major lifeline road for the valley.

The project was designed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The JICA started the study for Thankot Area Road Improvement in 2014 and finalized the preparatory survey in March 2015.

The agreement with JICA have been signed in December 22, 2016 (total loan 16,636 million Japanese Yen) with 0.01% interest rate for 40 years. The cost of land acquisition and other administrative cost will be born by the government of Nepal.

According to Department of Roads, the project will incorporate following works:

1. Road tunnel (2.688 km long, 2 lanes each of 3.5m, a median 1.5 wide, shoulders 0.5m wide at both sides for drainage facilities, total carriage way of 9.5m wide).
2. Eastern and western approach roads (2,307m long at eastern side and 565m long at western side).
3. 7 bridges and 11 box-culverts.
4. Toll gate facilities, traffic monitoring and maintenance offices.
5. Transmission line construction.