Tanahun. Tanahun: The construction of the main dam of the 140 MW Tanahun Hydropower Project under construction at Jhaputar of Rishing Rural Municipality-1 in Tanahun district is in full swing.

Based on the traditional reservoir system, the project has initiated the construction of the first concrete dam in nepal’s hydropower history.

According to the project, the main dam will be 140 meters high. Project chief Shyamji Bhandari informed that concrete blocks have been lifted up to an average height of 10 meters above the foundation of the dam at the project site. He said, “Temperature control in mass concreting during the construction of the dam is very sensitive, so work is done by balancing the temperature through state-of-the-art technology.” ’

According to Chief Bhandari, special attention has been paid to temperature control as the structure of the dam is very complex and linked to long-term safety. “Now the height of the dam has been gradually increased and the target is to complete the concrete work within the next two years,” he said. ’

According to the project, the construction of the dam and diversion of seti river under package-1 has been completed and concrete is being placed in the dam. 42.5 percent physical progress of package-1 has been achieved.

Songda Corporation, Vietnam-Kalika Construction Pvt. Ltd. Nepal, JV is constructing package-1. Under this package, the physical progress has increased due to the completion of river diversion, slope cutting, side management and digging of two large diversion tunnels.

Construction work is going on in three packages. Overall, 67 per cent physical progress of the project has been made. The total cost of the project (including transmission line, rural electrification and interest for the construction period) is $505 million.

ADB has contributed $150 million, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) $184 million, European Investment Bank $85 million and Nepal Government-Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) $86 million.

The project is expected to generate 587.7 million units of electricity annually for the first 10 years and 489.9 million units thereafter, said Project Chief Bhandari.

Similarly, under package-2, tunnel, power house construction and hydromechanical and electromechanical equipment supply, installation and operation of the project have been constructed. Sino Hydro Corporation China has been given the responsibility of the construction of this project.

Similarly, KEC International Limited, India is constructing a 220 kV double circuit transmission line from Damauli to Bharatpur in Chitwan under package-3.