KATHMANDU: The construction of the ‘invert’ at the Siddhababa Tunnel, a national pride project, has been completed.

Engineer Sabita Gyawali from the tunnel project office stated that the invert construction for the entire 1,089 meters of the main tunnel has been completed.

She said, “The invert construction was completed from Wednesday. We are rapidly moving forward with the lining work. So far, 834 meters of the lining have been completed.”

The overall physical progress of the under-construction tunnel at Dobhan in Tinau Rural Municipality–3, Palpa, under the Siddhartha Highway, has reached 56.3 percent. Likewise, financial progress has reached 50.24 percent, according to the project. Work accelerated after the breakthrough of the tunnel.

The 1,126-meter-long Siddhababa Tunnel, stretching from the upper Siddhababa Temple along the Butwal–Tansen section of the Siddhartha Highway, began construction in 2079 B.S. The breakthrough of the main tunnel has already been achieved. The tunnel, targeted for completion within five years by 2083 B.S., is being constructed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation at a cost of Rs. 7 Arba 34 Crore 21 Lakh 40 Thousand.

The stretch from the lower Siddhababa Temple to Dobhan in Palpa falls in a high landslide-prone zone. Even during dry seasons, dust-induced landslides occur, prompting the construction of the tunnel to ensure safety. This section serves as a key route for vehicles heading toward Gulmi, Palpa, Arghakhanchi, Syangja, Pokhara, Baglung, and Myagdi.

For the 1,126-meter-long Siddhababa Tunnel under construction from Siddhababa Temple, Palpa, and for the Nagdhunga Tunnel, the government has allocated Rs. 2 Arba 60 Crore for the upcoming fiscal year.