The construction of the Siddhababa Tunnel, a national pride project, has reached 61 percent completion. Work gained momentum after the tunnel breakthrough.
According to Dudh Adhikari, Chief of the Siddhababa Tunnel Project Office, lining and slope works have already been completed. Out of the total 1,126 meters of tunnel, 1,089 meters have been constructed. Structural lining on the inner walls of the tunnel has been fully completed.
As per the project office, the tunnel being built at Dovan, Tinau Rural Municipality-3, Palpa, under the Siddhartha Highway, has achieved 61.6 percent physical progress and 51.1 percent financial progress so far.
“The tunnel walls have been covered with concrete, shotcrete, blocks, or other materials. Invert works of 1,089 meters have also been completed. Alongside, construction on the north and south portals has been advancing. Around 19 meters on the northern side and 18 meters on the southern side remain to be completed,” said Project Chief Adhikari.
Helipads are also being built on both the northern and southern sides. He further stated that vehicles will be able to pass through the main tunnel within five to seven months.
Construction of the 1,126-meter tunnel, starting from the upper Siddhababa Temple on the Butwal–Tansen section of Siddhartha Highway, began in 2022 (BS 2079). The breakthrough of the main tunnel has already been completed.
The tunnel is being constructed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation at a cost of NPR 7.34 billion, with the target of completion in five years.
The section of Siddhartha Highway from the lower Siddhababa Temple to Dovan in Palpa has long been prone to landslides, with even dry-season debris flows causing hazards. To ensure safe travel along this section, the tunnel construction was initiated.
