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Under the Community Responsibility Program of the 140 MW Tanahun Hydropower Project, currently under construction at Jhaputar in Rishing Rural Municipality-1 of Tanahun, a total of 92 projects have been completed in the affected areas. An additional eight projects are in the implementation phase.

According to Project Chief Shyamji Bhandari, community development and livelihood restoration programs have been carried out in coordination with local residents of the affected areas through consumer committees under the project’s Community Development Program. He added that these initiatives are being regularly monitored by an environmental and social management service provider.

Among the projects currently under implementation are the access road up to the Machhadang Tunibot trail bridge in Rishing-7; construction of drainage along the Kilchok branch road in Myagde Rural Municipality-3; construction of the Fedi Khola motorable bridge in Bhimad Municipality-5; and development of the Dandiban Chulesi access road in Rishing-7.

Likewise, work is progressing on the supply and transportation of cables for four suspension bridges to be constructed at Chulesi, Tunibote, Blayang, and Tutuwa over the Seti River linking Rishing and Myagde rural municipalities. Other ongoing projects include the construction of a concrete bridge over the Wantang Khola, a rural road connecting to the access road at Patan in Byas Municipality-5, and improvement works for a drinking water source and pipeline system in Rishing-1.

Project Chief Shyamji Bhandari stated that community responsibility programs have been prioritized, recognizing the important role of the local community in the project’s construction.

“Our goal is to complete the project in collaboration with the community. The project has been continuously supporting various social infrastructure and income-generating programs,” he said.

Construction of the project is being carried out in three separate phases.

The first phase focuses on building the headworks, including the dam and associated structures. The second phase involves excavation of the main tunnel, construction of the powerhouse, and installation of electro-mechanical equipment. Meanwhile, the third phase covers the development of the 220 kV transmission line connecting Damauli to Bharatpur.

The project’s total cost, including the transmission line, rural electrification, and interest during the construction period, is estimated at USD 505 million.

Under the financial arrangement, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide USD 150 million, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will contribute USD 184 million, the European Investment Bank (EIB) will finance USD 85 million, and the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), in coordination with the Government of Nepal, will cover USD 86 million.

Upon completion, the project is expected to add an additional 140 megawatts of electricity to the national transmission system, contributing to the country’s energy security.

Jalasarokar