Local residents have obstructed the construction of the Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola tunnelway, which is in its final stage, yet again.

Residents of Chandragiri Municipality-2 have obstructed the work since Sunday, demanding supply of drinking water and other facilities in the locality. According to the project, construction on both the Kathmandu and Dhading sides has come to a standstill.

Frequent obstructions by locals have slowed the progress of the project. They have vowed not to allow work to continue until their demands are met, displaying banners in front of the tunnelway entrance.

Senior Divisional Engineer Sanjay Panthi of the Nagdhunga Tunnel Construction Project said discussions are ongoing with the locals to find a solution. Dhading residents had obstructed the work earlier on March 31 as well.

If no further issues arise, the project aims to open the tunnel for vehicles by mid-October 2025. However, repeated disruptions have hindered progress.

The project faced delays due to land acquisition disputes and the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the recent obstruction by locals has added challenges in the completion of the project.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had laid the foundation stone for the Rs22 billion project when he was prime minister in October 2019.

The project was initially expected to be completed within three and a half years from its inception. However, it faced delays due to the Covid pandemic and, more recently, a shortage of construction materials.

Initially, the project encountered delays because of the acquisition of 44 ropanis of land in Dhading for the project office. Disputes over compensation rates between the project and the locals of Dhunibesi, along with uncertainties surrounding the acquisition of trust lands and unregistered land, caused further setbacks.

The Home Ministry’s January 4, 2023, circular, which banned “illegal” crusher plants across the country, also delayed the project for a month.

The project’s deadline, which was first extended by three months, was further extended to April 25, 2024, from its original deadline of April 26, 2023. The deadline has now been extended again, this time to mid-October 2025, as the work has not been completed within the previous time frame.