Sunkoshi-Marin diversion: 12-km tunnel digging completed; breakthrough in sight

The tunnel excavation process of the Sunkoshi Marine Diversion Project has made spectacular progress.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has consistently shown interest in the project, which aims to provide irrigation facilities in Terai Madhes within 12 months.

According to the project timeline, the tunnel excavation will be completed within the next one-and-a-half months barring any geographical complications.

Mitra Baral, Chief of the Sunkoshi Marine Diversion Project, shared that out of the total 13.3 kilometers of tunnel, 12.79 kilometers have been constructed so far.

“Tunnel excavation has witnessed significant progress. Barring any physical complications, we are preparing to achieve a breakthrough within the next one and a half months,” Baral said.

Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Shakti Bahadur Basnet instructed the project chief and other officials not to leave the project site and to address problems at the local level.

While both time and costs are increasing in most national pride projects in the country, the diversion project has garnered the attention of many at the moment.