Nepal

The 140-megawatt Tanahun hydropower project works have continued during the Dashain holidays.

Construction works at the project site in the Rishing Rural Municipality-1 of Tanahun district will halt only on Bijaya Dashami, said the project chief Raj Bhai Silpakar. "Construction works have been accelerated to complete the project in time."

He said that Chinese workers and some other Nepali workers are at work, while other Nepali workers are on leave for the festival.

Under the first package, construction of a diversion tunnel is underway. Song Da-Kalika JV has been contracted for the package.

Under the second package, the construction of a power plant is also over. Under the second package, Silpakar said Sino Hydropower Limited won the contract to construct a tunnel, power plant, and supply hydro mechanical and electromechanical equipment, their installation and operation.

The company completed the digging of a tunnel to construct a power plant. The tunnel is 89 metres long, 22 metres wide and 51 metres high. In addition, the construction of a tunnel to supply water is underway. Out of 1,450 metres long tunnel, digging 350 metres has been over.

Similarly, under the third package, the construction of 25 towers for a transmission line has been over. Laying 48 foundations for the project is over. The $500.5 million project aims its completion within the Nepali month of Asar, 2083BS.

Of the total cost, the Asian Development Bank has contributed $150 million, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency $184 million, the European Investment Bank $85 million and the Nepal Electricity Authority under the Government of Nepal $86 million.