KATHMANDU, April 15: The Nagdhunga-Sisne Khola main tunnel has achieved a breakthrough. The main tunnel, spanning a total length of 2,688 meters, successfully broke through on Monday.

Engineer Gobinda Damaru, a senior divisional engineer of the project, stated that it will take another year for traffic to be operational on the tunnel route. The project faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and continuous local obstruction during the initial stages of construction.

Damaru said that while the tunnel has now achieved breakthrough status, there is still work remaining such as lining, equipment installation, and finishing touches. Once these tasks are completed, it will take another year before traffic can flow through the tunnel. Previously, on August 6, 2023, the project's emergency (rescue) tunnel had achieved a breakthrough.

On February 18, locals in Dhading had obstructed the project, demanding compensation, water supply, and irrigation. After a month-long hiatus, construction work resumed on March 21.

To meet the project's 42-month completion timeline, the Japanese contractor Hazama Ando JV commenced construction on November 12, 2019.

 
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