The Nagdhunga tunnel toll took effect on Sunday, November 1, 2026, so every vehicle entering or leaving Kathmandu Valley through the new tunnel now pays a road usage fee. OnlineKhabar reported that the Nagdhunga Tunnel Construction Project issued a public notice setting the charges by vehicle category and direction of travel, with trucks and heavy equipment paying the most.
What happened
The fees follow a decision by the executive committee of Road Board Nepal and a notice published earlier in the Nepal Gazette. The tunnel is on the main western gateway to the valley, the route that links Kathmandu with Naubise and the Prithvi Highway, and it carries a large share of the trucks bringing goods and building materials into the capital.
Key details: Nagdhunga tunnel toll rates
- Category 1 (cars, vans, pickups, tractors, microbuses and other light vehicles): Rs 65 entering Kathmandu, Rs 60 leaving.
- Category 2 (minibuses and mini tippers or trucks): Rs 115 entering, Rs 80 leaving.
- Category 3 (buses and trucks): Rs 260 entering, Rs 200 leaving.
- Category 4 (multi-axle trucks and heavy equipment): Rs 600 entering, Rs 250 leaving.
These figures match reports from OnlineKhabar and HimalPress. Entry fees are higher than exit fees for every category.
Why the Nagdhunga tunnel toll matters for homeowners in Nepal
For a single family car, Rs 65 is a small cost. For construction, the numbers add up. A loaded truck bringing cement, rods, sand or aggregate into the valley now pays Rs 260 on the way in and Rs 200 on the way out, and a multi-axle truck or a piece of heavy equipment pays Rs 600 to enter. Suppliers and transporters are likely to pass at least some of that cost on, especially for bulk deliveries that make many trips.
On a typical house, the toll itself is a tiny share of the total budget. The bigger point is that transport is part of what you pay for every bag and every tonne. If your supplier is outside the valley, ask whether their quote now includes the toll so there are no surprises on the invoice. If you are hiring an excavator or a crane from outside Kathmandu, Rs 600 for the inbound trip is worth checking in the rental terms too.
The tunnel also saves time by bypassing the old winding Nagdhunga road, and shorter, more reliable trips can help deliveries arrive on schedule. For many builders, that reliability may be worth more than the fee.
Contractors who quote fixed prices for projects inside the valley should also review their transport assumptions. A build that needs dozens of truck trips over several months will now carry a small but steady extra cost, and it is better to agree up front who pays it than to argue about it at the final bill.
What to do next
- Ask suppliers outside the valley for delivered prices that include the toll.
- Combine orders into fewer, fuller loads so you pay for fewer truck trips.
- Check equipment rental quotes for transport and toll charges.
- Use our house construction cost calculator to keep your full budget, including transport, in view.
- Read our recent update on roads reopening after the rain for other route news.
FAQ
When did the Nagdhunga tunnel toll start?
The fees apply from November 1, 2026.
How much does a car pay?
Rs 65 to enter Kathmandu and Rs 60 to leave.
How much does a truck pay?
Buses and trucks pay Rs 260 to enter and Rs 200 to leave. Multi-axle trucks and heavy equipment pay Rs 600 to enter and Rs 250 to leave.
Who decided the fees?
The executive committee of Road Board Nepal, in line with a notice published in the Nepal Gazette.
Sources: OnlineKhabar, November 1, 2026 and The Annapurna Express; more on national roads from the Department of Roads.