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A total of 9,127 trees will be removed for the construction of a transmission line under the Tanahu Hydropower Project.

With the acquisition of user rights over 92.7 hectares of forest land in Tanahun and Chitwan districts for the construction of the Damauli–Bharatpur 220 kV transmission line under Package–3 of the project, permission has now been granted to clear the trees and vegetation in the designated area.

According to Project Chief Shyamji Bhandari, an agreement has recently been signed between Tanahu Hydropower Limited and the Department of Forests and Soil Conservation, in line with a Cabinet decision, to allow the use of forest land within the transmission line tower sites and right-of-way corridor, as well as the removal of trees and plants. He added that a formal letter has already been sent to the Division Forest Office, Chitwan, to implement the agreement.

Construction of the transmission line had been affected due to delays in obtaining the necessary approvals.

Package–3 has been awarded to India’s KEC International Limited. Of the 94 towers to be constructed along the 33-kilometer Damauli–Bharatpur 220 kV transmission line, foundation work has been completed for 78 towers, and 69 towers have already been erected. The project office stated that overall physical progress under this package has reached around 75 percent.

The Tanahu Hydropower Project is being implemented through three packages. Under Package–1, construction of the dam and related structures is being carried out by Song Da-Kalika JV . According to Bhandari, this package has achieved 54 percent progress so far. Major works completed include hill cutting for the main dam, construction of access roads, building a temporary dam to divert the Seti River, and the construction of two diversion tunnels, among other structures.

For the construction of the main dam, the Seti River was diverted on November 6, 2023. It has been reported that construction of temporary dams on both the upstream and downstream sides of the main dam was completed in May 2024.

Under Package–2, the construction of the powerhouse and installation of related equipment is being carried out by China’s Sino hydro Corporation. According to Bhandari, excavation work for the underground structures has been completed, and most of the civil construction of these structures has also been finished. Major concreting works for the powerhouse, cable tunnel, surge tank, tailrace, and other structures have been completed, bringing overall progress of this package to around 73 percent.

According to Project Chief Bhandari, the civil works of the powerhouse are nearly complete, while electromechanical installation is currently underway. Roofing work at the powerhouse, along with water management and other related tasks, is in progress.

Jalasarokar