Minister Ghising instructs stakeholders to speed up work on Siddhababa Tunnel

By A Staff ReporterKathmandu, Dec. 23: About 65 per cent work of the under-construction Siddhababa Tunnel at Dobhan, Tinau Rural Municipality–3, Palpa, along the Siddhartha Highway has been completed.

The financial progress of the project stands at 56 per cent. 

The construction of the main tunnel, which is 1,126 metres long, has been completed so far. Similarly, the construction of three through tunnels measuring 151 metres, 161 metres and 130 metres in length has also been completed.

According to the project, construction of the access road leading to the tunnel route, cliff protection works, retaining walls and other structures is currently under way. In total, 2,398 metres of road needs to be upgraded.

To make the existing road safer from landslides and rockfalls, a rock shed measuring 780 metres in length, 3.43 metres in width and 4.4 metres in height is yet to be constructed. 

The construction of the rock shed will begin only after vehicles start operating through the main tunnel.

Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Kul Man Ghising inspected the tunnel construction site on Sunday and urged the authorities concerned to expedite the work and complete it within the stipulated time.

Minister Ghising, who visited the project site along with Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Keshav Kumar Sharma, directed that the pending issues between the project and the contractors be resolved immediately.

According to his secretariat, Ghising said that construction work should not be delayed under any circumstances due to failure to make timely decisions.

He said, “The construction contractor has requested a 19-month extension, citing circumstances beyond his control, including failure to provide the site on time, delays in deforestation and release of advance. The project, consultant and construction contractor should sit together and make an immediate decision on this issue. The project should not be affected under any circumstances owing to indecision.”

A contract agreement was signed with China State Construction Engineering Corporation on March 19, 2022, for the construction of the tunnel under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model at a cost of Rs. 7.342 billion (including taxes).

As per the agreement, construction of the tunnel must be completed by mid-April 2026. After completion, the company will operate and maintain the tunnel for 1,825 days. The project is being constructed using the government’s own resources.

Many accidents have occurred in the Siddhababa area during both the rainy and winter seasons due to rockfalls, mudflows and dry landslides, resulting in human casualties. The situation worsens during the rainy season, often causing traffic jams lasting for hours.

The Siddhababa Tunnel is being constructed to address these problems. Once completed, it is expected to provide safe and reliable travel for passengers using the Siddhartha Highway, reduce travel time and distance, and lower the number of accidents as well as vehicle operating costs.