KATHMANDU: A 1.56 km underground tunnel has been proposed for the Chabahil-Gaushala section of Kathmandu’s Ring Road, one of the most challenging stretches for road expansion. The project is estimated to cost Rs 65.1 billion.
The proposal is included in the Kathmandu Valley Urban Transport System Master Plan prepared by Nepal’s Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The final report is expected to be submitted to the government by August.
The Chabahil-Gaushala section has long been considered the most difficult part of the Ring Road expansion. Limited right-of-way and the proximity to the UNESCO-listed Pashupatinath heritage area make conventional road widening and elevated road construction impractical.
Under the proposal, a 1,563-meter twin-level tunnel will be built beneath the existing four-lane road. The upper tunnel will carry traffic towards Chabahil, while the lower tunnel will serve vehicles heading to Gaushala. Each level will have a 6.5-metre-wide carriageway.
An emergency escape tunnel is also planned below the lower level to improve safety during emergencies.
The tunnel is proposed to be excavated using a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM). A launch shaft will be constructed north of Chabahil Chowk, while the receiving shaft will be located in Gaushala. Construction is expected to cause minimal disruption to surface traffic, although managing excavated materials and construction logistics will remain a challenge.
The master plan also recommends relocating underground utilities, including water supply, sewerage and telecommunications, through a dedicated utility corridor. A Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) and archaeological study will be mandatory before construction begins due to the project’s proximity to the Pashupatinath heritage zone.
The estimated project cost of 68.5 billion Japanese yen, equivalent to around Rs 65.1 billion, covers design, construction, technical services, land acquisition and compensation. Around Rs 860 million has been allocated for land acquisition and compensation alone.
The master plan proposes 19 transport infrastructure projects across the Kathmandu Valley, including elevated roads, underpasses, overpasses, modern bridges, underground parking facilities and new transport corridors. The combined investment required for all proposed projects is estimated to exceed Rs 200 billion.
JICA and the Government of Nepal began preparing the updated transport master plan in 2024. Officials expect the report to guide the valley’s long-term urban transport development after its submission later this year.
