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Construction of the tunnel road along the Butwal–Palpa section of the Siddhartha Highway has been accelerated with a target to bring the route into operation by October.

According to the project office, work on tunnel structures, access roads and safety systems is being carried out simultaneously. The project has achieved 68 percent physical progress and 58 percent financial progress so far.

The project, being built under the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) model with a five-year completion target, assigns the contractor full responsibility for design, approval and construction.

Project chief Rajesh Poudel said efforts were being intensified to begin traffic operation through the tunnel by October. He said the construction company would remain responsible for operation, maintenance and security for five years after completion, followed by an additional five-year Defect Liability Period (DLP).

The project had initially faced delays due to legal and technical complications. Officials said problems related to documentation, tree-cutting permits and budget management slowed progress as the EPC model was new in Nepal.

Poudel said those issues were now being resolved and processes related to deadline extension and milestone adjustment were in the final stage.

Approval has already been granted for rigid pavement construction on the access road linked to the tunnel. After traffic begins operating through the tunnel, work on rock sheds and slope protection in the surrounding landslide-prone areas will continue.

The project also plans to build safe walkways for pedestrians inside the rock sheds and arrange drinking water facilities outside the tunnel area.

Although the initial estimated cost was around Rs10 billion, the contract was awarded for nearly Rs7 billion through a competitive bidding process.

The Siddhartha Highway section is considered highly vulnerable to landslides and erosion, and the tunnel project aims to ensure safer travel and reduce loss of life and property.