March 8: Construction of the much-hyped Nagdhunga-Naubise has hit a snag due to a host of problems. The project funded by the Japanese government has failed to gain momentum due to problems related to site clearance, land acquisition, and import of equipment required for the tunnel construction.

It has been learnt that the government has failed to approve address the issue of land acquisition and site clearance. The inordinate delay on part of the government is likely to further delay the project undertaken by Hazma Ando Corporation of Japan with a commitment to complete it within 3.5 years.

It has been almost five months since Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli laid the foundation stone of the Nagdhunga-Naubise Tunnel amid a function at Chandargiri Municipality on October 21. But the delay in policy-level decision on the land dispute and import of equipment is certain to affect the project.

The Japanese company is yet to get approval from the government to import 300 different equipment worth Rs 5 billion to kickstart the project.

The project chief Shyam Kharel says it has become quite urgent to approve the budget of Rs 5 billion to import the equipment.

“The longer it takes for the government to take a decision, the project will be delayed further,” he said.

The government waives customs duty on the import of these equipment. But the Ministry of Finance has to first approve the list of equipment prepared by the project, which is yet to happen.

Kharel said they have already prepared the list of necessary equipment and logistics required for the project including steel, machines, explosives and petroleum products. The list has to reach the Finance Ministry through the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport.

The procurement process will begin only after the Finance Ministry approves the list. But sadly the list has been returned four times by the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure,” he added.

The project officials are preparing to dig the tunnel after three months. But it is not possible until they get the required equipment.

The Nagdhunga Tunnel Construction Project is a loan project funded by the Government of Japan where JICA is the development partner providing loan assistance of Japanese yen worth 16.636 billion.

According to JICA, the objective of the project is to improve the road condition around Nagdhunga pass by constructing a tunnel, thereby contributing to achieve a smooth transportation network between Kathmandu and other principal cities in Nepal.

JICA further said that the commencement of this tunnel project will be the first of its kind in Nepal. The highway will have two lanes of 2.7 kilometers in length and is  expected to reduce the time to clear Nagdhunga Pass to one-third of the current time (currently 30 minutes when heading east and 20 minutes to the west).