Construction of Jagdulla Hydropower Project begins, 49 percent share to be given to general public

लगानी न्यूज

१५ असार २०८३, सोमबार १८:२५June 29, 2026

. The physical construction of the Jagdulla Hydropower Project, which the government has launched through the People’s Hydropower Programme, has begun.

According to Sanjaya TAG_OPEN_div_49 Sapkota, chief executive officer of Jagdulla Hydropower Company, the construction of the project has moved ahead with the signing of the agreement with the main contractor.

Detailed engineering study, environmental impact assessment, land acquisition, power purchase agreement (PPA), financial management, generation license and industry registration have already been carried out for the 106 MW project.TAG_OPEN_div_47 The project is a model project in the country being constructed with government ownership, local participation and domestic financial resources.

According to CEO Sapkota, the company is developing two semi-reservoir projects in Jagdulla and Mudkechula rural municipalities of Dolpa.TAG_OPEN_div_45 The company has a target of generating 106 MW from Jagdulla Hydropower Project and 124 MW from Jagdulla-A Project.

According to Sapkota, apart from power generation, the project has significantly contributed to the infrastructure development of Dolpa.TAG_OPEN_div_43 “The company has already constructed a 100-meter long cemented bridge over the Bheri River, opened a track on the difficult cliff of Tribeni-Mudkechula-Jagdulla road and installed 10 ‘bailey bridges’ along the access road with its own funds,” said Chief Executive Officer Sanjay Sapkota.

These structures have directly benefited not only the project but also the local residents.TAG_OPEN_div_41 In the past, the compulsion to walk for hours has been removed and access to transportation has become easier. The transportation service of Dolpa has also changed significantly due to the project.

Until a few years ago, it used to take more than three days to reach Dolpa from Nepalgunj and the movement was almost disrupted during the rainy season.TAG_OPEN_div_39 Now it is possible to travel in a single day. An environment has been created for the night bus service from Dunai, the district headquarters of Dolpa, to Kathmandu, he added.

According to him, the infrastructure created along with the construction of the project is expected to have a long-term impact on the tourism sector as well.TAG_OPEN_div_37 The tourism potential of Karnali Province would be further enhanced with the development of alternative and shorter routes leading to Rara Lake, Shey-Phoksundo Lake, Jagadulla Lake, Upper Dolpa, Jumla and Mugu.

After the construction of the project, the federal government, 95 million provincial governments and 95 million local levels will receive royalty annually.TAG_OPEN_div_35 It is believed that this will help in strengthening the local economy.

Similarly, the detailed engineering study of the 124 MW Jagdulla-A project has been completed.TAG_OPEN_div_33 The process related to environmental study, land acquisition, PPA, financial management and licensing has reached the final stage.

The project was surveyed, designed and estimated by Nepali engineers through NEA Engineering, a consultant company of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).TAG_OPEN_div_31 The government bodies, Karnali Province government and local governments will have 51 percent share in the company, while the general public will have 49 percent share.

10 percent of the shares have been reserved for the local residents. Likewise, an arrangement has been made to provide three percent share to the landowners who fall within the right of way of the transmission line. This is probably the first time such a model has been implemented in Nepal.

Loans worth Rs TAG_OPEN_div_27 16.66 billion have been raised by domestic banks and financial institutions for the Jagdulla Hydropower Project. The bank has been jointly managed by Nabil Bank, Employees Provident Fund, HIDCL, Laxmi Sunrise Bank, Everest Bank and NIC Asia Bank. Ramesh Lamsal-RSS