Toll collection begins at Nagdhunga tunnel, hours-long jam on first day

Travelers have had to wait in vehicle queues for hours after toll collection began on the Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola tunnel road.

The government started collecting tolls from vehicles passing through the tunnel from Kartik 15, that is, November 1. This is Nepal's first modern road tunnel.

Since the automated electronic payment system is not yet fully operational, tolls have had to be collected in cash and via QR code. This has lengthened the time it takes for each vehicle to pay and move on.

Traffic congestion, slow toll collection and the lack of alternative arrangements have put both drivers and passengers in trouble.

About 1.17 million rupees in revenue is reported to have been collected on the very first day of toll collection.

The tunnel road had been expected to cut the time needed to enter and exit Kathmandu Valley. But with travelers having to wait in queues just to pay the toll, they have not received the expected time savings.

Questions have been raised over whether toll collection was rushed before the system was ready, and whether adequate preparation and alternative arrangements were in place.