KATHMANDU, Aug 20: Nestled in the rugged hills of Palpa, the Siddhababa Tunnel—one of Nepal’s ambitious national pride projects—is steadily taking shape, with construction progress inching close to 60 percent. Once complete, the tunnel is expected to transform travel along the busy Butwal–Tansen section of the Siddhartha Highway, long notorious for its treacherous curves and landslide-prone terrain.
At present, the focus is on tunnel lining, with concreting of floors and walls moving ahead briskly. “We have achieved 59.73 percent physical progress and 51.01 percent financial progress,” said Project Chief Krishna Raj Adhikari. He added that 1,089 meters of the tunnel’s floor has already been completed, along with nearly a kilometer of wall lining. Work is actively underway on an additional 292 meters inside the tunnel.
Contractor starts design work, construction of Siddhababa tunne...
The Siddhababa Tunnel is designed as a two-lane passage stretching 1,089 meters, with a width of 10.5 meters and a height of around seven meters. Though still under construction, essential vehicles can already pass through the main tunnel for operational purposes.
Engineers have also been busy carving out bypasses to enhance safety and functionality. Of the three bypasses, ranging between 130 and 161 meters in length, most of the floor work and a significant portion of the lining have already been completed.
The breakthrough of the main tunnel, located at Dobhan in Tinau Rural Municipality–3, marked a turning point for the project. Since then, the work has gained momentum, with heavy machinery and teams of workers pushing forward daily.
Construction of the 1,126-meter tunnel began in 2079 BS, undertaken by the China State Construction Engineering Corporation at a cost of Rs 7.34 billion. The project aims to be completed by 2083 BS, ushering in a new era of safer, faster, and more reliable road connectivity in western Nepal.
For countless commuters and traders who currently navigate the perilous Siddhababa stretch, the tunnel promises more than just convenience—it offers peace of mind.
