Nepal Government to Publish Global Tender For Nagdhunga-Naubise Tunnel Way

The Department of Road (DoR) is building a tunnel way in the Kathmandu Valley’s western hills connecting Nagdhunga and Naubise. And for this, it has invited contractors to take on the project, reports The Kathmandu Post.

The Details:

• Nippon Koei, a Japanese consultant, has almost finished the Detailed Project Report (DPR). Once the department has the report, they will review and approve it before floating the global tender notice.
• The department will be able to call on contractors to submit request for proposal by the end of March. If the works proceed as planned, the contractor will be deployed at the project site by the end of this fiscal year.
• The tunnel will be built using loan provided by the Japanese government. It will bore through the hills in the west of Kathmandu Valley and link Kathmandu with the national highway network and the Indian border in the south.
• The total project is expected to cost Rs. 20.2 billion.
• The Japanese government has signed an official development assistance loan agreement with the Nepal government worth Rs. 15.2 billion. The loan repayment period has been fixed at 40 years and the grace period at 10 years with an interest rate of 0.01 percent per year.

Why it matters:

• It will construct a 2.45-km tunnel from Basnetchhap to Sisne Khola and a 2.6-km approach road from Basnetchhap to Thankot.
• The tunnel has a 3.5-metre lanes and a 2.5-metre shoulder. It will also have LED lighting facility, mechanical ventilation, evacuation tunnel door and emergency telephone service.
• The approach road will have two bridges, toll booths and a roadside rest area for travellers. It will also have parking space for nine heavy vehicles and 23 light vehicles, fast food restaurants, shops and toilets.