The Siddhababa Tunnel Road, a flagship national pride project under the Siddhartha Highway, has marked a significant milestone with the completion of invert construction across its entire 1,089-meter main tunnel. Project office engineer Sabita Gyawali announced on Wednesday that the invert work is now complete, and the lining process is advancing swiftly, with 834 meters already finished.

Located in Tinahu Rural Municipality-3, Dobhan area of Palpa, the 1,126-meter tunnel stretches from Upper Siddhababa Temple to Dobhan. Construction, which began in 2079 BS, is being executed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation under a NPR 7.34 billion contract, with a target completion date of 2083 BS.

The project has achieved 56.3% physical progress and 50.24% financial progress, according to the project office. The main tunnel’s breakthrough earlier this year has accelerated work, bringing the project closer to enhancing connectivity and safety.

The Siddhartha Highway’s stretch from Lower Siddhababa Temple to Dobhan is notorious for frequent landslides, including dry-season debris falls, which endanger travelers. The tunnel aims to mitigate these risks, ensuring safer passage for vehicles connecting Gulmi, Palpa, Arghakhanchi, Syangja, Pokhara, Baglung, and Myagdi. This critical infrastructure project is expected to boost economic activity and accessibility in western Nepal by providing a reliable transportation route.

The government has allocated NPR 2.6 billion for the Siddhababa and Nagdhunga tunnel projects in the upcoming fiscal year, signaling strong commitment to modernizing Nepal’s infrastructure. The Siddhababa Tunnel is poised to transform travel safety and efficiency, addressing long-standing challenges posed by the hazardous terrain along this highway stretch.

However, local stakeholders have called for stringent oversight to ensure timely completion and quality standards, given the project’s significance.

As construction progresses, the tunnel is expected to become a vital link for regional connectivity, supporting tourism and trade while reducing risks for commuters. The completion of the invert marks a pivotal step toward realizing these goals, positioning the Siddhababa Tunnel as a cornerstone of Nepal’s infrastructure development.