Kathmandu, July 1 -- Construction of the Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola tunnel, Nepal's first road tunnel, has been completed 79 months after work began, paving the way for its operation later this month.

Japanese contractor Hazama Ando Corporation has formally handed over the completed tunnel to the Nagdhunga Tunnel Construction Project. The government is preparing to bring the tunnel into operation within the Nepali month of Shrawan, which begins in mid-July.

Construction began on October 21, 2019, under a contract requiring completion within 42 months. The deadline was missed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, local obstructions and other implementation challenges.

Although the contractor completed and handed over the project in May, the governmen...