Locals have obstructed work on the Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola Tunnelway for the past nine days, demanding proper management of their already fulfilled demands. Construction on both the Kathmandu and Dhading sides has been suspended, casting uncertainty over the project’s completion timeline.

Lighting, ventilation, and concrete road construction inside the tunnelway are in their final stages. Similarly, work on the nearly completed flyover at the Kisipidi area in Balambu has also been halted. Locals from Tutipakha in ward 2 of Chandragiri Municipality have obstructed construction, insisting that ongoing programmes under the project should either continue through the project itself or be managed by the Department of Roads.

This is not the first time locals have disrupted work, as they have obstructed construction six times since the project began. The construction company said each day’s halt results in losses exceeding Rs5 million. While project authorities said most of the affected residents’ demands have been addressed, some remain under discussion.

Locals demand free drinking water even after project completion, fair compensation for damaged houses, and guaranteed employment based on their skills and qualifications. The first round of talks between the protesting group and the Department of Roads on Sunday ended without an agreement. Senior Divisional Engineer Sanjay Panthi of the Nagdhunga Tunnel Project said another round of talks would be held on Monday. The locals insist on a written commitment regarding their demands.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel said tunnel construction should not be halted. “The project has been addressing the legitimate demands of locals. The issue should now be resolved through dialogue so that work can resume as soon as possible,” he said. “All concerned authorities must create an environment to expedite the remaining construction and ensure the project’s completion as soon as possible.”

The project has faced delays due to land acquisition challenges and the Covid-19 pandemic. Then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli laid the foundation stone for the Rs22 billion project in October 2019.

The initial deadline of April 26, 2023, was first extended to April 25, 2024. With work still incomplete, the deadline has been pushed back to mid-October 2025.