January 10: The suspended work of the Nagadhunga tunnel project is all set to resume after an agreement with the locals over land acquisition issue.

The locals had halted the construction of the tunnel due to the dispute over land ownership and compensation.

On Tuesday, the locals agreed not to obstruct the work after holding discussion with Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Prakash Jwala.

Sushilbabu Dhakal, director general of Department of Roads, who was also present during the discussion, informed that the project work has resumed after resolving the dispute related to land ownership and compensation.

The construction of the tunnel was stopped after a dispute surfaced as to whether the land in the Dhading section of the project belonged to the government or to the local residents. The agitating locals agreed to the government’s proposal that the Department of Roads will improve the roads and drains in the localoty, and discuss the land ownership dispute with the District Administration Office and the Land Revenue Office, Dhading.

The work of concrete lining inside the tunnel was stopped due to the obstruction created by the local residents.

During Tuesday’s discussion, Minister Jwala assured that the problem of land ownership and compensation will be resolved within the scope of the law. The locals also expressed their commitment not to stop the construction work of the tunnel.

The project informed that only 80 meters of the main tunnel of 2.68 kilometers is left to be dug. According to the progress report released by the project on December 27, the physical progress of the project stands at 67.61 percent and the financial progress is 62.49 percent.

The project has been stopped many times due to land-related dispute. So far, the project has built three underpasses along with the emergency tunnel. Four box culverts, one overpass and three bridges have also been constructed. The flyover is still under construction.

The Government of Nepal had reached an agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to construct the Nagadhunga-Naubise tunnel measuring 5.7 kilometers in length including the main tunnel of 2.7 kilometers in 3 and a half years. The foundation stone of the project was laid on October 21, 2019.

The project is being undertaken with the concessional loan provided by the Government of Japan. The total investment for the project is estimated to be around Rs 22 billion. JICA will invest Rs 16 billion while the Government of Nepal will contribute Rs 6 billion.

The tunnel will be of 2.7 kilometers long and will have two flyovers. The project will also cover 3 kilometers of road.

The Thankot-Naubise road section is currently 9 kilometers long. The distance will be shortened to 5.7 kilometers once the tunnel is constructed.