Kathmandu. Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project has started skill-oriented training to the project-affected people. The 216-megawatt Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project under construction in Rasuwa district has started the skill-oriented training program with an aim to enhance the self-employment, employment and skills of the family members of the project-affected areas and create local livelihood opportunities.

In the first phase, the project has started imparting training to 40 project-affected people of Ramche and Kalikasthan villages of Rasuwa. The training was organized by Nepal Water and Energy Development Company Pvt Ltd in collaboration with Kalika Rural Municipality.

Based on the need, demand and potential of the project-affected households, 20 people will be trained as caregivers and 20 on hotel operation. In the next phase, the training program will be gradually expanded to other wards of the municipality affected by the project. Altogether, the programme aims to impart skill training to 370 people from project-affected communities.

On the occasion, Chairman of Kalika Rural Municipality Ward No. 1 Dawa Tamang said that the training was conducted on demand basis and at the ward level. Stating that such programs would contribute significantly to the development of skilled human resources at the local level, they urged the participants to actively participate in the training and put into practice the skills they have learned.

On the occasion, Chief Operating Officer of Nepal Water and Energy Development Company Pvt Ltd Sanghi Ma said the Company was committed to improving the social and economic condition of the project-affected households through skill-oriented training. According to him, the project has been providing ambulances to the project-affected rural municipalities under the community support programme and has been continuously providing financial assistance to the project-affected rural municipalities in the areas of education, health, drinking water, road infrastructures, conservation of culture, relief distribution and livelihood enhancement under the Indigenous Community Plan programme.

Based on the demand-based assessment conducted in 2018, various training programmes were planned to be conducted in the affected areas. The training programs have been revised based on updated household surveys, rapid market assessments and local demand analysis. Early Childhood Development Facilitator, Mason, Waiter, Bakery, Cook, Sewing, Beauty Parlour, Housekeeping, among others, are designed to suit the needs of the community and the current market needs. These programs are focused on employment, self-employment and income generation.

According to the Project Development Agreement (PDA) between the government and the company, the project has prepared Nepal Employment and Skills Training Plan and accordingly the programs have been implemented in the project-affected areas. The project is under construction at Haku area of Ama Chhodingmo Rural Municipality-1 and an underground powerhouse in Uttargaya Rural Municipality-1. The Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower project is the biggest hydropower project under construction with foreign direct investment.

The main construction work of the project started in mid-January 2078. At present, the construction of underground powerhouse, main tunnel, dam and other structures is going on at a rapid pace. The overall physical progress of the project has reached 74 percent. The project is targeted to be completed by mid-December 2083.