Locals obstruct Nagdhunga tunnel construction

By Bishnu Pandey, Kathmandu, Mar 1: The construction of the Nagdhunga tunnel has been halted by the locals since February 18. 

Senior Divisional Engineer of the Nagdhunga Tunnel Construction Project Gobinda Dumaru said that locals have halted the construction of the project demanding the management of the water source. Only 14 meters are left to complete the tunnel. 

He said that the construction of the project has been left stranded since February 18. 

According to him, the locals resisted the construction as the tunnel construction led to drying up the water sources. 

He said, “Locals obstructed the construction of the project saying that water sources are drying up owing to the project. Locals are halting the construction saying that the construction will bring difficulty not only in the availability of clean drinking water but for irrigation as well.”

Locals have demanded compensation for the cracks in their houses caused by tunnel construction and digging the ground to make a tunnel way. Along with this, they have demanded drinking water and irrigation facilities from the construction project. 

He said that it would be difficult to fulfil the demands of the locals swiftly. 

Dr Bijay Jaisi, Deputy General of the Development Cooperation Implementation Division of the Road Division Office, said that discussions are underway as the conflict persists. 

There was a target to make a breakthrough on March 6 but will be unable to implement it as there is obstruction from locals. 

He said, “The plan was to make a breakthrough on March 6, but there is slim possibility of making it happen owing to the hindrance from locals. The tunnel breakthrough will happen in three days if the resistance from locals is tackled. ”

Coordination continues to remove the obstacle

According to Ghanashyam Giri, mayor of Chandragiri Municipality, the coordination is ongoing to remove the obstacle from locals.

He said, “The continuous coordination on our part to solve the resistance from the locals is underway. We are discussing with the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT), to solve the issue.”

He said, “We have committed to solving the irrigation. We will manage whatever investment it requires to fetch drinking water, but, the work should continue.”

The locals of the ward 1 and 2 are in crisis.  

The locals are using 3 million litres of water daily from boring. 

He said, “We have committed to providing boring water from Sisane Khola, and in case of insufficiency, we assure providing water from tankers.”