The Nagdhunga Pass near Kathmandu is a major logistics artery linking the capital with other parts of Nepal and India, but with its continuous sharp curves it was a difficult section prone to congestion, accidents and landslides in heavy rain. JICA supported, through a yen loan, the construction of Nepal's first road tunnel, which was completed after about ten years.
On July 18, before opening, an event was held to run and walk inside the finished tunnel. More than 400 people took part, including government officials, local mayors, residents and schoolchildren, media, Japanese residents and JICA staff, joined by Nepal's men's marathon record holder. Participants also toured part of the evacuation tunnel and learned the rules for using the tunnel.
Because the tunnel is for vehicles only after opening, this was a rare chance to go in on foot. The blog reports that after the late-August floods and debris flows, a JICA survey team used the tunnel to reach the affected areas.
Key points
- A citizen-friendly event to experience the new tunnel while learning how to use it safely
- Local people voiced hopes for shorter travel times, faster ambulance access and smoother logistics
- It is already being put to use for recovery and reconstruction surveys after the disaster
Why this news deserves attention
It is impressive that infrastructure development extends to helping people understand how to use it and to exchanges with the community. Efforts to make a project feel familiar are a useful reference for outreach and citizen participation in international cooperation.
It can also be read as an example of how a road supports daily life and recovery in a disaster-prone country.
Editor's comment
The idea of running inside a tunnel is unique, and you can almost picture the smiles of the people there. The blog has plenty of photos, so please visit the original to get a feel for it.
Support continues in the flood- and debris-flow-hit areas of Nepal. We hope this becomes an opportunity to take interest in the front lines of international cooperation.