KATHMANDU: Nepal’s first modern road tunnel, the Nagdhunga-Naubise Tunnel, has been opened to private vehicles from today.
Cars, jeeps and vans carrying up to nine passengers can now use the 2.688-km tunnel from 9 am to 6 pm. The facility is currently being operated on a trial basis, so private vehicles will not be charged any toll for now.
Vehicles using the tunnel must keep their headlights on, maintain a speed below 40 km/h and are not allowed to overtake or stop inside the tunnel.
The tunnel has been built at a cost of around Rs 23 billion and reduces the Nagdhunga-Naubise road journey from around 30 minutes to around five minutes.
Motorcycles, scooters, three-wheelers, fuel tankers and vehicles carrying explosives or other restricted materials are not allowed inside the tunnel.
Once regular toll collection begins, cars and vans will be charged Rs 65 when traveling towards Kathmandu and Rs 60 when exiting Kathmandu. Other vehicle categories will have different toll rates.
The government plans to gradually open the tunnel to the public and other eligible vehicles after the ongoing trial operation.
