Nagdhunga Tunnel Opens: What Kathmandu–Dhading Drivers Need To Know

Kathmandu’s long‑awaited Nagdhunga–Sisne Khola road tunnel is finally going into operation, creating a new, faster highway link between the Capital and Dhading.

Opening after years of work

Construction of the tunnel started after the foundation ceremony in 2019 and faced delays due to COVID‑19 and land compensation disputes.

• The main tunnel length is 2.68 km.
• An additional 2.557 km emergency (rescue) tunnel runs alongside, to be used for incidents and maintenance.
• The project has been built by Japanese contractor Hazama Ando Corporation.

According to the government’s project brief, funding came from both Japan and Nepal:

• Around Rs 16.5 billion from the Japanese government (loan/grant mix).
• Around Rs 6 billion from the Government of Nepal, with further loan support added when costs rose during construction.

Who can use the tunnel at first?

From the first day of operation, not all vehicles will be allowed to drive through the tunnel.

• Day 1 access is limited to emergency‑use vehicles (such as ambulances, police and rescue vehicles), as per the official rollout plan.
• After that, other private and public vehicles will be allowed in phases, once authorities are satisfied with safety, signage and traffic management.

For regular drivers, this means you may not be able to use the tunnel immediately, but gradual opening to normal traffic is planned.

Vehicle restrictions inside the tunnel

To reduce accident and fire risk, certain types of traffic will be banned inside the tunnel section of the highway:

• No pedestrians allowed.
• No two‑wheelers (bikes, scooters).
• No vehicles carrying petrol, diesel or other highly flammable materials.

If you ride a motorcycle or drive a fuel tanker, you will still need to use the existing Nagdhunga road rather than the new tunnel.

Toll charges for different vehicles

The new tunnel is not free to use. The government has set different tolls for entering and exiting Kathmandu through the tunnel.

For drivers, the key charges are:

• Car / van
• Rs 65 when entering Kathmandu via the tunnel
• Rs 60 when exiting Kathmandu

• Minibus / tipper
• Rs 115 when entering Kathmandu
• Rs 80 when exiting

• Bus / truck
• Rs 260 when entering Kathmandu
• Rs 200 when exiting

• Heavy truck
• Rs 600 when entering Kathmandu
• Rs 250 when exiting

These rates apply each time the vehicle passes through the tunnel. For commercial operators, this will become a regular operating cost to factor into freight or passenger fares.

What it means for everyday drivers

For four‑wheeler owners travelling between Kathmandu and the western parts of Nepal:

• The tunnel should reduce travel time and avoid steep, narrow sections of the old Nagdhunga hill road.
• Car and van users pay the lowest tolls, while heavy trucks pay the highest.
• Bike riders cannot use the tunnel, so their route remains unchanged for now.

Overall, the Nagdhunga tunnel marks a major change in the driving experience on the main western approach to Kathmandu, especially for car, bus and truck drivers who regularly face congestion and slow climbs on the old highway section.