Come mid-July, travelers heading in and out of the Kathmandu Valley can finally avoid the Nagdhunga traffic jam as the country's first traffic road tunnel is set to open at a full scale.
The 2.68 meters' stretch with two-lane tunnel is expected to transform travel experiences of the passengers along one of the country's busiest road corridors, offering a faster and more reliable route between the Kathmandu Valley and the rest of the country.
For thousands commuters and transport operators who often face traffic jams at Nagdhunga, one of the check points to the Valley, the operation of the much-awaited tunnel is anticipated to offer much-needed respite.
Director of the project, Saujanya Nepal, told the RSS that internal preparations were underway to bring the tunnel within mid-July to mid-August this year. According to him, most of the construction works inside the tunnel were completed.
He informed, "We are now conducting emergency response drills, rescue simulations and traffic management tests to ensure that the tunnel is fully prepared for operation." He added that the only significant work remaining is landslide prevention measures outside the tunnel.
The project was originally scheduled to be completed by April, 2023.
However, delays caused by contractor company and local residents' obstructions among other factors pushed the project beyond its initial deadline, according to the project authorities.
At present, operational exercises and management rehearsals are underway to ensure a smooth launch once the facility opens to the public. Nepal further mentioned that works relating to deciding on banks that will collect the toll and printing of cards among others have been forwarded.
According to him, provisions are in place where drivers could pay toll either using cash or scanning QR or through an electronic toll system that uses vehicle-mounted stickers scanned by high-capacity cameras.
The toll revenues collected from the travelers will ultimately be deposited into the account of the Road Board Nepal, while the operating company will handle day-to-day collection and management, said project director Nepal.
The Yuxin- ART JV company was awarded with the contract worth Rs 1.1 billion to operate, manage and maintain the tunnel round-the-clock for the next five years. It was selected through a competitive bidding involving ten applications, according to the project officials.
Altogether 150 personnel will be recruited to operate and manage the Tunnel with up to 40 staff members deployed during peak daytime hours, it was said.
He reiterated, "Currently, internal preparations are ongoing. We have set a target to operate the tunnel by mid-July with completion of all sorts of preparations."
On average, more than 8,000 small and large vehicles, excluding two-wheelers, could enter and exit the Kathmandu Valley via the tunnel on a daily basis.
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