Kathmandu: The Nagdhunga–Sisnekhola Tunnel, Nepal’s first underground road tunnel, is set for another deadline extension of up to six months after repeated landslides and unexpected geological conditions stalled final works on the western (Dhading) side.
Project Director Saujanya Nepal confirmed that the western entrance portal near Sisnekhola has been repeatedly damaged by fresh landslides, especially after heavy rains in September–October 2025. Construction of the toll plaza and the remaining three lanes of the five-lane approach road has also been disrupted.
“Japanese consultants have formally requested a minimum six-month extension to install state-of-the-art landslide protection systems, complete the toll plaza and access road, and finish additional reinforcement works inside the tunnel,” Nepal said. “We are pushing to keep the extension as short as possible, but at least some additional time is unavoidable.”
If the full six months are granted, the 2.7-km tunnel would be fully ready by the last week of Chaitra (mid-April 2026). The project team, however, is internally working to open the tunnel for traffic from the last week of Magh (mid-February 2026).
Physical progress currently stands at 98 percent, with financial progress at 90 percent. Only about 70 metres of the 11.3-km access road on the Dhading side and three of the five approach-road lanes remain incomplete.
This would be the third extension for the Japanese-funded project. The original 42-month contract signed in September 2019 with Hazama Ando Corporation was first extended by one year and then by 18 months due to COVID-19, local protests, crusher-plant closures, and difficult terrain. The latest deadline expired on 8 November 2025.
The new challenges have also triggered cost overruns. The project has sought an additional Rs 5.7 billion from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which could raise the total cost by around 7 percent from the original Rs 22 billion.
Once operational, the tunnel will slash travel time from Thankot to Naubise from over an hour to just 10 minutes, bypassing the treacherous and heavily congested Nagdhunga pass.
Meanwhile, the government has already fixed toll rates and is in the final stages of selecting an international operator to run the tunnel for the first five years. An international tender closed on 17 December 2025, with around 150 specialised staff planned for security, toll collection, traffic management, and maintenance.
Approved Toll Rates (effective upon opening)
Car/Jeep/Van: Rs 65 (entering Kathmandu) | Rs 60 (returning)
Minibus/Small Truck: Rs 115 | Rs 80
Large Bus/Medium Truck: Rs 260 | Rs 200
Heavy Equipment: Rs 600 | Rs 250
Despite the delays, officials insist the tunnel remains on the verge of completion and will transform connectivity between Kathmandu and western Nepal when it finally opens in early 2026.
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