Surkhet, Feb. 12 -- The tunnel's construction, the first phase of the Bheri Babai Multipurpose Project, was completed a year ahead of schedule. However, the second and third phases have been delayed.

The government has extended the completion deadline for this national pride project to the fiscal year 2027-28.

The project was initially scheduled to be completed by 2022-23, but the deadline has been extended by five years. Despite the extension, the current pace of work has raised concerns about whether the project will be completed within the revised timeframe.

The project was initially planned to begin in 2011-12 but commenced in 2014-15.

The China Overseas Engineering Group was awarded the contract to complete the first phase by Mar...