KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track project has reached a significant milestone with the breakthrough of the Dhedre Tunnel. Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli officially announced the completion of this crucial segment, marking a major advancement towards connecting Kathmandu and Nijgadh.
Located in Makwanpur’s Bakaiya Rural Municipality, the Dhedre Tunnel’s breakthrough signifies that all tunnels in Package Number Two, awarded to the construction company, have now been completed. This follows the successful breakthrough of both tunnels at Lenḍada. Today’s achievement marks the final tunneling breakthrough for the section towards Kathmandu-Nijgadh.
The breakthrough ceremony saw high-profile attendees including Prime Minister Oli, Finance Minister, Defense Minister, Minister for Physical Infrastructure, and Chief of Army Staff. Also present were the Chinese and Korean ambassadors to Nepal, highlighting the international significance of this development.
The Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track project spans a total length of 70.977 kilometers, with 10.309 kilometers allocated for tunneling. The Dhedre Tunnel alone measures 1691 meters.
The project comprises six tunnel sites, with the longest being a 3355-meter tunnel in Mahadevddanda. According to the Nepal Army, 65 percent of the work on this longest tunnel has been completed, contributing to an overall project progress of 35.38 percent.
The responsibility for managing the Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track construction was assigned to the Nepal Army as per the decision of 21st Baishakh 2074. The Army is currently working through various project packages.
Work continues on the 6.5 to 70.977-kilometer road section. However, the initial 6.5-kilometer segment remains on hold due to disputes. The fast track project aims to enhance connectivity from Khokana in Lalitpur to Nijgadh in Bara, promising to significantly improve transportation infrastructure in the region.