KATHMANDU: Nepal’s first modern road tunnel, the Nagdhunga–Sisnekhola Tunnel Way, was officially inaugurated on Monday.

Speaking at the ceremony, Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Maeda Toru hailed the project as a historic milestone in Nepal’s infrastructure development and a strong symbol of the 70-year diplomatic relationship between Nepal and Japan.

Designed to overcome difficult terrain, reduce travel time, and bypass landslide hazards on a primary trade corridor, the tunnel was built using Japanese expertise alongside Nepali labor and engineers.

Ambassador Toru reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to Nepal’s stability and development while handing over operational and maintenance responsibilities to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport.