October 12: The construction of Nagdhunga tunnel, which was supposed to be completed within 42 months from the start of the project, is unlikely to be completed within the deadline. With just six months left for the project to end, the progress achieved is 65 percent.

The foundation stone of the project was laid on October 21, 2019 by the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. As per the agreement signed with the Department of Roads, the contractor, Hazama Ando Corporation of Japan, was supposed to complete the project within 42 months.

However, the project has been delayed due to hurdles like the Covid-19 pandemic, prohibitory order as well as the obstruction from the locals, distribution of compensation, unavailability of explosives and equipment among others, according to the Department of Roads.

The project should have been completed within mid-April next year but the deadline has been extended by almost three months (86 days) after assessing the situation. The Japanese construction company Hazama Ando Corporation had demanded an extension of deadline as the work was delayed due to the pandemic, restrictions and a few days of interruption by the locals.

The project director Ramhari Pokharel informed New Business Age that the Japanese company had demanded extension of the deadline by six to seven months but the department has made it clear that it is not possible to extend the deadline beyond three months.

According to the details provided by the project, the Japanese company has already completed construction of the main passage as well as the auxiliary, audit and cross passages. Of them, 1,377 meters are dug on the east and west sides of the main tunnel and 1,507 meters on both sides of the auxiliary tunnel.

Among the other structures of the project, two underpasses have been constructed. There are plans to build three underpasses in the project. Similarly, 4 box culverts, 1 overpass and 3 bridges have also been constructed. The flyover is under construction.

The total length of the tunnel is projected to be 5.7 km including 2.7 kilometers long tunnel section and 3 kilometers of road.

The Government of Nepal had reached an agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 2016 to construct the tunnel. The total cost of the tunnel is estimated to be around Rs 22 billion, of which JICA will bear Rs 16 billion and the Government of Nepal will bear Rs 6 billion.