Kathmandu. The Nagdhunga tunnel way, which was inaugurated a month back, has been opened for the private vehicles from Monday. Cars, jeeps, vans and other private vehicles with a capacity of up to 9 passengers have been allowed to ply Kathmandu-Dhading from Monday.

From the time of the inauguration, only emergency vehicles were allowed to use the tunnel. Deputy Chief of Nagdhunga Tunnel Security Unit, Kabiraj Shrestha, said that emergency vehicles, ambulances, government plate vehicles and private vehicles with up to 9 seats will be allowed to ply from 9:00 am on Monday.

As a test, these vehicles have been allowed to enter the tunnel for a certain period of time. After this, preparations are being made to open the tunnel for other vehicles as well. “We have brought it into operation for testing. Now let’s analyze this week. We understand the problems and experiences of the drivers,” he said.

Shrestha said that there will be no charge for private vehicles for the time being. According to him, the tunnel will be operated from 9 am to 6 pm. He informed that the flyover road at Gurjudhara has also been opened since this morning.

There are certain rules for driving in the tunnel. The vehicles are not allowed to drive at a speed of more than 40 km per hour, not to turn on the headlights, not to stop the vehicle inside the tunnel and not to overtake. Shrestha said that internal preparations are being made for the regular operation of the tunnel by monitoring the security unit, fee collection unit and activities inside the tunnel through CCTV.

The foundation stone of the country’s first systematic transport tunnel built at an investment of around Rs 29 billion was inaugurated on August 27 after a gap of seven years. Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Maeda Toru and JAI’s President Dr Yubaraj Khatiwada were present on the occasion. Minister for Infrastructure Development Sunil Lamsal inaugurated the tunnel in the presence of Tanaka Akihiko.

Vehicles carrying pedestrians, two-wheelers, diesel, petrol and other inflammable materials are not allowed to ply in the tunnel.

The use of the tunnel is not free. The car van has to pay Rs 65 and Rs 60 respectively while entering and exiting Kathmandu after regular operation. Minibuses and tippers have to pay Rs 115 for entry, Rs 80 for exit, Rs 260 for bus and truck and Rs 200 for exit. Apart from this, the government has fixed the fee of Rs 600 for the entry of heavy trucks and Rs 250 for exiting the truck.

The Japanese government had invested Rs 16.5 billion and the Nepal government Rs 6 billion for the construction of the tunnel. However, after entering the construction phase, the cost increased. After this, Japan added another $5 billion in loan assistance. The contract for the project was awarded to Japan’s Hajma Ando Corporation.