गृहपृष्ठ ∕ Nepal ∕ Construction of Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola tunnel underway during pandemic Nepal Construction of Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola tunnel underway during pandemic KathmanduPati September 09, 2020 File Photo KATHMANDU : Works on the Nagdhunga- Sisnekhola tunnel are underway even amidst the restrictions put in place to stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. This will be the first tunnel in the road infrastructure of the country. Construction works have been continued by keeping the workers in a close camp at the construction site. The Japanese construction company, Hazma Aangdo Corporation, is undertaking the construction, and is carrying on with the construction with available human resources at present. Nearly 200 workers are at work on the site these days. The Department of Roads has said that there is no dearth of human resources for proceeding ahead with works on the project. The Company had already arranged for the human resources and equipment prior to the lockdown. The project’s physical progress is now at around four percent since the construction began 10 months ago. The target then was to make physical progress of seven to eight percent. It is said the low progress is due to several unforeseen challenges. The project had been facing shortage in construction materials until some time ago. Many of the local levels of Dhading district where Sisnekhola is located had prevented the transportation of construction materials like sand and pebbles. Department’s Development Assistance Coordination Division chief Arjun Jung Thapa said this problem has now been sorted out in coordination with concerned local levels. “Although some local levels tried to create obstruction, they have been taken into confidence by explaining the reality and now an environment has been created for the unhindered transportation of the construction materials,” he said. Though construction works on tunnels towards Kathmandu have not been completed yet, works in close camp are underway towards Dhading. Activities to divert Sisnekhola are on, said Chief Thapa. He added that land acquisition task too is being forwarded. Process to provide land compensation for flyover at Balambu has already been forwarded. An agreement was signed with the Company to complete the construction within 42 months. Chief Thapa said that the agreement was signed between the Government of Nepal and Japanese construction Company, Hazma Angdo Corporation to complete the tunnel construction within 42 months of the beginning of the construction works. It has been expected that the traffic jam along Nagdhunga-Naubise road section would be eased once tunnel route comes into operation. Write your comments RELATED NEWS Nepal opens ambassador posts to public, tightens eligibility Nepalis fighting for Russia may be victims of trafficking, experts… Nepal tests plastic in road construction Conservation of mountain environment is need of the day: President… Nepal PM calls for stronger EU ties, skips mention of… Nepal’s opposition pushes for PM’s appearance in Parliament Top Headlines Before the Ballots: How Oli Lost the Political Narrative1 Nepal “a Buffer State”: Rethinking foreign policy in relative terms2 Balen’s Silence Has Invited Curiosity, Confusion, and Concerns3 Jagdamba Group Chairman Shankar Agrawal Arrested4 Court Orders Release of UML Rekha Sharma5 We will return the savings of cooperative victims within 100 days : Rabi Lamichhane6 Nepali Congress provides financial assistance for Samba’s treatment7 Two Offices Under Ministry of Communication to Be Abolished8 TRENDING The Role of the Nepalese Army in Strategic Road Projects We need to be serious about the international scenario post-Covid: Dr. Nischal N. Pandey Tourism entrepreneurs get crash course in Chinese language WAP and the portrayal of the female body as a commodity Kulman Ghising’s reappointment issue stirs conflict between Prime Minister Oli, Energy Minister Pun Nepal Army vows to complete Kathmandu-Terai Fast Track project in time Huawei ICT Awards 2020 Grand Finale Concluded 101s of applying to US colleges as an undergrad