Highlights

• Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola Tunnel, Nepal's first road tunnel, begins operation from Last Monday.
• Emergency vehicles only will use the tunnel during the initial phase before wider public access.
• The 2,688-metre tunnel was completed at a cost of around Rs 21 billion after 81 months of construction.
• Maximum speed inside the tunnel is 60 km/h.
• RFID-based N-Tag digital toll collection is the primary payment method.
• Cars entering Kathmandu pay Rs 65, while the outbound toll is Rs 60.
• The project is expected to reduce congestion, fuel consumption and travel time on the Nagdhunga-Naubise corridor.

After years of anticipation, Nepal's first road tunnel is finally ready for traffic.

The Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola Tunnel will officially begin operations on Monday, marking one of the country's most significant transport infrastructure milestones. The opening comes 81 months after construction began, considerably longer than the original schedule, yet the project now promises to transform one of Nepal's busiest road corridors.

The inauguration will be jointly conducted by Minister for Infrastructure Development Sunil Lamsal and the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

What makes this development noteworthy is not its scale alone, but its long-awaited arrival. For thousands of motorists travelling between Kathmandu Valley and the western regions of Nepal, the impact could be immediate.

Emergency Vehicles Get Priority Access

The tunnel will not immediately open to every vehicle.

According to Project Director Saujanya Nepal, authorities will begin operations by allowing only emergency service vehicles inside the tunnel. Ambulances, fire engines and security agency vehicles will be given priority while operational systems are monitored.

Private and public transport will be introduced gradually in phases.

Phase	Vehicle Access	Status
Phase One	Ambulances, fire engines, security vehicles	Operational from opening day
Later Phases	Private and public vehicles	Gradual rollout

The phased approach reflects the importance of ensuring every safety system performs as intended before the tunnel reaches full operating capacity.

Eight Years Of Construction Finally Reach The Finish Line

Japanese construction company Hazama Ando Corporation started work on Kartik 4, 2076 BS. The original construction schedule targeted completion within 42 months.

Instead, the project required nearly eight years before becoming operational.

The finished tunnel stretches 2,688 metres and represents an investment of approximately Rs 21 billion.

Project Detail	Information
Tunnel Length	2,688 metres
Construction Cost	Around Rs 21 billion
Construction Period	81 months
Main Contractor	Hazama Ando Corporation

Once fully operational, the tunnel is expected to ease congestion on the existing Nagdhunga-Naubise road while reducing fuel consumption and shortening travel times.

Its significance extends beyond convenience. It represents a new chapter for Nepal's highway infrastructure.

Which Vehicles Can Use The Tunnel

The Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola Tunnel Operation Directive 2081 places several restrictions on tunnel traffic.

The following vehicles are not permitted inside the tunnel:

• Motorcycles and scooters
• Three-wheelers, including tempos and auto-rickshaws
• Petroleum tankers carrying diesel, petrol or similar fuels
• Vehicles carrying explosives
• Vehicles carrying weapons, except authorised security agencies
• Vehicles transporting rotten or foul-smelling materials
• Non-motorised vehicles
• Vehicles exceeding 18 metres in length, 2.5 metres in width or 4.25 metres in height

Permitted vehicles include cars, SUVs, jeeps, vans, microbuses, mini trucks, buses and trucks that comply with the size restrictions.

The maximum permitted speed inside the tunnel has been fixed at 60 km/h. Drivers exceeding the limit will face enforcement action.

Digital Toll Collection Takes Centre Stage

Unlike conventional toll plazas, the tunnel has been designed around a digital payment ecosystem.

Motorists are expected to use an RFID-based N-Tag, issued as a windshield sticker that communicates automatically with electronic readers.

Vehicle Category	Entering Kathmandu	Leaving Kathmandu
Car / Van	Rs 65	Rs 60
Minibus / Mini Truck	Rs 115	Rs 80
Bus / Truck	Rs 260	Rs 200
Heavy Vehicles	Rs 600	Rs 250

N-Tag cards are currently available through Global IME Bank, Kumari Bank, Nabil Bank, Nepal Investment Mega Bank and Sanima Bank. Users can obtain cards with balances of Rs 1,000, Rs 2,000 or Rs 5,000.

Authorities have also confirmed that QR payments and cash collection will remain available during the initial operating period. Tourists arriving from India and China will also be able to pay in cash.

Private Operator Will Run The Tunnel Around The Clock

Operation and maintenance responsibilities have been awarded to the Yusin ART Company, a Nepali-Chinese joint venture.

The company secured a five-year operating contract worth Rs 1.10 billion. During that period it will oversee tunnel operations, maintenance, repairs and staffing.

Around 150 employees will be required to keep the tunnel functioning 24 hours a day.

Traffic estimates suggest that more than 8,000 four-wheel and larger vehicles currently pass through the Nagdhunga checkpoint every day, excluding two-wheelers. Officials expect roughly 4,000 to 5,000 vehicles, approximately 50 to 60 percent of that daily volume, to shift to the tunnel.

The timing is particularly significant given the growing traffic pressure on Kathmandu's western gateway. While the opening begins cautiously, the long-term impact could extend well beyond faster journeys. Reduced congestion, lower fuel consumption and improved freight movement could make this one of Nepal's most important transport investments in recent years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When will the Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola Tunnel open to the public?
A: Operations begin on Monday, but only emergency service vehicles will initially be allowed. Access for private and public vehicles will be introduced gradually.

Q: Which vehicles are prohibited inside the tunnel?
A: Motorcycles, scooters, three-wheelers, petroleum tankers, vehicles carrying explosives, most weapon-carrying vehicles, non-motorised vehicles and oversized vehicles are prohibited.

Q: What is the speed limit inside the tunnel?
A: The maximum permitted speed is 60 km/h. Drivers exceeding this limit will face action under the operating directive.

Q: How much is the toll for cars?
A: Cars and vans pay Rs 65 when entering Kathmandu and Rs 60 when leaving Kathmandu through the tunnel.

Q: How do drivers pay the toll?
A: The primary payment method is the RFID-based N-Tag system. QR payment and cash will also be available during the initial operating period.