Nagdhunga Tunnel to Charge Toll Fees from Sunday Midnight
Vehicles using the Nagdhunga Tunnel will be required to pay toll fees from Sunday midnight. All vehicles entering and leaving Kathmandu through the tunnel must pay the prescribed charges in accordance with the rates published in the Nepal Gazette.
According to Soujanya Nepal, Project Chief of the Nagdhunga Tunnel Construction Project, toll rates have been determined based on vehicle categories, with different charges applicable to vehicles entering and exiting Kathmandu. Under the new tariff structure, cars, jeeps, vans, and microbuses will be charged Rs. 65 when entering Kathmandu and Rs. 60 when exiting the valley. Similarly, larger vehicles will have to pay Rs. 600 when entering through the tunnel and Rs. 250 when exiting. Initially, motorists will be able to pay the toll fees through cash or QR code payments. However, the project plans to introduce an RFID card and tag-based system in the future, allowing automatic toll collection from vehicles. The project has also arranged for employees of a service provider to operate the toll collection system. All revenue collected through the tunnel will be deposited into the account of the Road Board Nepal. The toll collection system will be operated and monitored by the Road Board Nepal and the Department of Roads. The introduction of toll charges is aimed at ensuring systematic operation of the tunnel and managing revenue collection under the prescribed mechanism.