Tunnel Era Begins, Now Fix Roads

The trial operation of the Nagdhunga–Sisnekhola Tunnel marks more than the opening of a new motorway. It signals the start of Nepal's tunnel era and a shift in how the country should think about transport infrastructure. For decades, travel into Kathmandu through Nagdhunga meant hours of traffic, steep climbs, and uncertainty. The new tunnel promises to change that. Yet its long-term success will depend not only on the tunnel itself, but also on the highways that connect to it.