Construction Of Nagdhunga Tunnel Moves Ahead
September 14, 2020 | Investopaper
The construction of Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola tunnel located at the main entry and exit points of the valley has moved ahead. The Japanese company Hazma Ando Corporation, which was awarded the contract for the construction of the tunnel, has already started the management of necessary manpower and establishment of an office near the construction site.
The company has stated that it will use domestic and foreign manpower in the construction of the project. The Department of Roads is coordinating for the construction of the tunnel. The Department has already set up an office and started manpower management to start the tunnel.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had laid the foundation stone of the tunnel on Karthik 4, 2076 (October 21, 2019). The construction of the tunnel is being carried out with the concessional loan of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the investment of the Government of Nepal.
Japan will provide Rs 16.5 billion loan assistance for the construction of the tunnel. The loan has to be repaid in 40 years and the interest is 0.01 percent. The contract for the construction of the tunnel has been awarded at Rs 22.5 billion. Government of Nepal will invest Rs 6 billion of the total cost.
The agreement was signed between the Foreign Coordination Division of the Road Department and the Japanese company Hazama Ando Corporation in Ashoj 2076 BS. The construction company has been given the responsibility to complete the construction of the tunnel in 42 months. Six companies had participated in the tender for the construction of the tunnel. Among them were five Chinese and one Japanese company.
The tunnel will be 2.6 km long. After that construction, the distance between Nagdhunga and Sisnekhola will be reduced to 3 km. At present this distance is 8 and a half km. Under the project, along with the tunnel, there is a plan to build a 600-meter flyover from Gurjudhara to the west.
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