The
Japanese government has shown keen interest to construct a 2.35-km tunnel road
on the Nagdhunga-Naubise section of Tribhuvan Highway, which will reduce
traffic congestion and travel time on Kathmandu-Naubise segment. The Japan
International Corporation Agency (JICA) is carrying out a feasibility study on
this tunnel project.
The
Nagdhunga-Naubise section, which is the entry point to Kathmandu Valley,
contains steep gradient and sharp curves. This usually results in traffic
congestion, affects movement of large vehicles and raises the chances of road
accidents. Construction of a tunnel road in this segment will not only reduce
travel time and traffic congestion, but also facilitate trade between Nepal and
India, as most goods coming from the southern neighbour enter the Valley via
this route.
भिडिओ हेर्न तल क्लिक गर्नु होस्
“As
per our discussion with JICA officials, the Japanese government will complete
the feasibility study within a year and if it finds the project viable, it will
also construct it on its own,” said Madhu Masashini, joint secretary at the
Ministry of Finance (MoF). He also informed the Japanese government was
positive about providing grant or loan to build the tunnel project.
The
government, for long, has been planning to build a tunnel road on the
Nagdhunga-Naubise segment and had also conducted a feasibility study last year,
which had concluded that 2.3-km tunnel linking Imakhel of Nagdhunga with
Sisnekhola of Naubise was viable. Back then, it was estimated that construction
of the tunnel would cost Rs five billion, including cost for building access
road to the tunnel. The route from India to the western Kathmandu via the
Prithivi Highway is the most reliable corridor for foreign trade in the
country.
भिडिओ हेर्न तल क्लिक गर्नु होस्
Upon
completion of the government’s feasibility study, JICA had shown interest to
conduct a fresh study on its own. Recently, the government and JICA have also
decided to set up a project called ‘Thankot-Naubise Tunnel Construction
Project’ prioritising the tunnel plan. The project aims to improve road
condition around Thankot pass by building a 2.35-km three-lane tunnel (two
lanes inbound to Kathmandu and one lane outbound from Kathmandu) to ensure
smooth transportation network between Kathmandu and other cities, according to
the MoF.
The
preliminary scope of the tunnel project includes construction of the tunnel,
2.25-km approach road, five bridges along the route and establishment of power
supply facilities, including backup generator to light the tunnel in case of
power failure. The government-JICA team will also prepare detailed design,
bidding documents and supervise works related to tunnel construction.
The
three-lane tunnel has been proposed as the best option in terms of smooth and
safe travel, and reduction of travel time and vehicle operating cost on
Nagdhunga-Naubise section. However, construction and maintenance cost of the
three-lane tunnel will be 1.2 times more than two-lane tunnel.
As
per the basic engineering report, the tunnel road will be safe enough for
vehicles to travel at 40 to 60 km per hour and will be able to handle 10,000 to
11,000 units of vehicles per day.
The
MoF officials said that the route survey and the feasibility study of JICA will
investigate further on the project site and suggest most appropriate outline
for the project.
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