Tanahun Hydropower Project Completes 92 Community Development Schemes

Tanahun. Ninety-two projects have been completed through the 140 MW Tanahun Hydropower Project currently under construction in Jhaputar, Rishing Rural Municipality, Tanahun. Ninety-two projects were completed under the Corporate Social Responsibility within the affected areas of the project, and eight are operational.

Project Chief Shyamji Bhandari stated that community development and livelihood restoration programs have been implemented in the affected areas through consumer committees under the project's community development program. He added that the plans operated through consumer committees are regularly monitored by the environmental and social management service provider.

According to him, ongoing projects include the access road to Machhadang Tunibot trail bridge in Rishing-7, culvert construction for the Kilchok branch road in Myagde Rural Municipality-3, construction of the Fedi Khola motorable bridge in Bhimad Municipality-5, the Dandivan Chulesi access route in Rishing Rural Municipality-7, supply and transportation of cables for four suspension bridges over the Seti River connecting Rishing Rural Municipality and Myagde Rural Municipality at Chulesi, Tunibote, Blayang, and Tutuwa, construction of a concrete bridge over the Wantang Khola, a road leading towards the village from the access road junction in Vyas Municipality-5 Patan, and the drinking water source and pipe improvement support program in Rishing Rural Municipality-1.

Bhandari stated that community plays a vital role in project construction, so social work has been prioritized. He said, "We are working to complete the project in collaboration with the community; the project has been providing support for various social works."

Project Chief Bhandari informed that the work is underway for Phase-1, which includes the dam and structures (headworks), Phase-2, which includes the main tunnel, powerhouse, and related equipment, and Phase-3, which includes the Damauli Bharatpur 220 KV transmission line.

The financial management for the project's total cost (including the transmission line, rural electrification, and interest during construction) of $505 million USD has been arranged with ADB covering $150 million, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) covering $184 million, European Investment Bank covering $85 million, and the Nepal Electricity Authority covering $86 million in coordination with the Government of Nepal.