Nepal Megaprojects Tracker: Fast Track, Nagdhunga Tunnel, Highways and Airports (2026)
This page tracks Nepal's biggest road, tunnel and airport projects. It is written for Nepalis in the US who go home every year or two and want to know what is actually different now.
Short answer (as of 2 November 2026):
- Open now: the Nagdhunga tunnel (cars only, trial), Pokhara airport's first regular international route (Dubai), and a mostly finished Narayangadh-Butwal road.
- Half built: the Kathmandu-Terai Fast Track, at 50.54% (October 17, 2026). New deadline: mid-April 2029.
- Still a plan: Nijgadh international airport.
Status uses three words only: Announced (approved or planned, main works not started), Under construction, and Open to the public. Every percent has the date of the figure. Projects slip, so the date matters as much as the number.
The tracker
| Project | Status | Progress (date of figure) | Key facts | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu-Terai/Madhesh Fast Track (expressway) | Under construction | 50.54% physical, 52% financial (Oct 17, 2026) | 70.977 km. 7 tunnels (11.21 km in total), 3 bores broken through. 89 bridges, 17 complete. Deadline mid-April 2029. | Meroauto, Oct 30, 2026 |
| Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola tunnel (Kathmandu exit to the west) | Open to the public (trial, cars only) | Open since Aug 24, 2026 | 2.68 km main tunnel. Private vehicles up to 9 seats, 9 am to 6 pm. No motorcycles, no pedestrians. Free during trial. | Kathmandu Post, Aug 24, 2026 |
| Narayangadh-Butwal road widening | Under construction (final stage, road usable) | 92% physical, both sections (Jun 7, 2026) | 114 km. Mostly four lanes. Butwal to Narayangadh in about two hours once done. | Ratopati, Jun 7, 2026 |
| Mugling-Pokhara road widening (western section, Pokhara to Jamune) | Under construction | 78.26% physical (May 6, 2026) | Third deadline was July 2026; officials doubted it would be met. The Seti River bridge at Prithvi Chowk was about 60% done. | Himal Press, May 6, 2026 |
| Pokhara International Airport | Open to the public | Open since January 2023 | First regular international route: Flydubai, Dubai to Pokhara, from Sep 23, 2026. Daily service was approved. | ShareSansar, Sep 23, 2026 |
| Gautam Buddha International Airport, Bhairahawa | Open to the public | Open (international flights limited) | Few regular international flights. In October 2025, Thai AirAsia (Bangkok, twice weekly) was the only regular airline. | Diplomat Nepal, Oct 26, 2025 |
| Nijgadh International Airport (Bara) | Announced | No construction (May 29, 2026) | Construction model to be finalized within six months of the FY 2026/27 budget. More than Rs 1 billion spent on compensation, fencing and river embankment. | Republica, May 29, 2026 |
Notes on the numbers
- Fast Track: Ratopati (October 8, 2026) reported 50.02% physical progress and 51.47% financial progress, with a revised cost of Rs 211.93 billion. Meroauto's later figure (50.54%, October 17) is the one in the table. Wikipedia gives a 2030 deadline; the two news reports say 2029, so I used 2029.
- Nagdhunga: I found no report after August 2026 on buses or trucks being allowed. The Kathmandu Post lists their future toll rates, so they are expected later.
- Bhairahawa airport: the most recent clearly dated airline report I found is from October 2025. Check the airline before you plan a route through it.
What changes on your next trip home
Leaving Kathmandu to the west (Pokhara, Chitwan, Butwal)
If you go by car, the Nagdhunga tunnel takes you under the old Nagdhunga pass road. During the trial it is open 9 am to 6 pm only, so an early-morning start still uses the old road. Tour buses and motorcycles cannot use it yet. Once tolls start, a car pays Rs 65 coming into Kathmandu, about $0.43 at the Nepal Rastra Bank rate of NPR 152.23 per USD (November 2, 2026).
Kathmandu to the Terai
The Fast Track is not open. When it is, the project expects about one hour between Kathmandu and the Terai. With half the work done after almost a decade, do not plan a trip around it before 2029.
Pokhara
You can now reach Pokhara without going through Kathmandu, by flying from the US to Dubai and taking Flydubai to Pokhara. ShareSansar lists the Dubai to Pokhara leg at about 4.5 hours. Economy from Pokhara to Dubai was about NPR 91,000 at launch. By road, the Mugling-Pokhara widening is still under way near Pokhara, so expect work zones.
Chitwan to Butwal and Lumbini
The Narayangadh-Butwal road was 92% done in June 2026 and mostly four lanes. This is the biggest real change for families from Rupandehi, Nawalparasi and Palpa. The project says the drive will take about two hours once complete.
Related
- Thinking of an electric car for the family? Read what an EV costs in Nepal now, including a Kathmandu to Pokhara trip.
- Where the power comes from: Nepal hydropower explained.
- New stadiums on the same routes: Nepal cricket stadium tracker.
- Bringing things back on the trip: what to bring back from Nepal to sell in the US.
Sources
- Fast Track: Meroauto (Oct 30, 2026); Ratopati (Oct 8, 2026).
- Nagdhunga tunnel: Kathmandu Post (Aug 24, 2026); ShareSansar, inauguration (Jul 27, 2026).
- Narayangadh-Butwal: Ratopati (Jun 7, 2026).
- Mugling-Pokhara: Himal Press (May 6, 2026).
- Pokhara airport: Onlinekhabar, daily flights approved (Jun 10, 2026); ShareSansar (Sep 23, 2026).
- Bhairahawa airport: Diplomat Nepal (Oct 26, 2025).
- Nijgadh: Republica (May 29, 2026).
- Exchange rate: Nepal Rastra Bank, November 2, 2026.
FAQ
How much of the Kathmandu-Terai Fast Track is complete?
50.54% physical progress as of October 17, 2026, according to the project figures reported by Meroauto on October 30, 2026. The deadline was extended to mid-April 2029 by a Cabinet decision on August 5, 2026.
Is the Nagdhunga tunnel open?
Yes, for some vehicles. It was inaugurated on July 27, 2026, and opened to private cars, jeeps and vans with up to nine seats on August 24, 2026, on a trial basis from 9 am to 6 pm. Motorcycles and pedestrians are not allowed.
How much is the Nagdhunga tunnel toll?
It is free during the trial. Once regular operation starts, cars and vans pay Rs 65 entering Kathmandu and Rs 60 leaving, according to the Kathmandu Post. Buses pay Rs 260 in and Rs 200 out.
Can I fly directly to Pokhara from abroad?
Yes, from Dubai. Flydubai started regular Dubai to Pokhara flights on September 23, 2026. The flight lands in Pokhara at 6:15 pm and leaves for Dubai at 7:15 pm.
How long will Kathmandu to the Terai take on the Fast Track?
Around one hour once it is finished, according to the project figures reported in October 2026. It is not open yet.
Is the Nijgadh airport being built?
Not yet. The FY 2026/27 budget (May 2026) said the construction model would be finalized within six months. Land compensation and fencing have been done, but main construction has not started.
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