Naagdhunga tunnel starts charging vehicle toll from today

Vehicles using the Naagdhunga tunnel have had to start paying a road usage fee from today, Kattik 15, with separate rates set by category for vehicles entering and leaving Kathmandu.

According to rates published by the Tunnel Construction Project, light vehicles such as cars, jeeps, vans, pickups and microbuses will pay Rs 65 entering Kathmandu and Rs 60 leaving the valley.

Minibuses and mini tippers or trucks have been set at Rs 115 entering and Rs 80 leaving. Buses and single-rear-axle trucks must pay Rs 260 on entry and Rs 200 on exit, while multi-axle trucks and heavy equipment face rates of Rs 600 and Rs 250 respectively.

The fee collection follows a decision by the executive committee of the Road Board Nepal on Asoj 12 and a notice published in the gazette on Chaitra 26, 2082. Project chief engineer Saujanya Nepal said every vehicle passing through the tunnel to and from the valley must pay according to the gazette's classification.

Payments can initially be made in cash or by QR code, with preparations underway to later introduce automatic payment through RFID cards and tags.