Kathmandu. The 670-megawatt Dudhkoshi reservoir-based hydropower project that has been stalled for a long time is set to gain momentum. Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has registered an application for the construction of the hydropower project.
NEA has submitted application to the Electricity Development Board for the construction of the hydropower project. However, for the construction of hydropower projects with a capacity of more than 200 MW, prior approval is obtained from the Investment Board’s office.
The project is estimated to take 7 years to complete. The project is expected to be completed by 2090 BS. Based on 2020 market prices, the estimated cost of the project is $2.2 billion (current exchange rate of Rs 308 billion).
The multipurpose project, located at Rabhuwaghat on the border of Khotang and Okhaldhunga districts, was earlier stalled due to lack of funds, especially for land compensation. The government has included this hydropower project in the list of priorities in the budget for the current fiscal year.
The feasibility study of the multi-purpose project was carried out four decades ago. On the basis of feasibility, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other international financial institutions supported the project.
According to the feasibility study of the project, the project will have to be acquired in Khotang, Okhaldhunga and Solukhumbu districts. Of the proposed project sites, around 20,000 ropanis of land are under private ownership. About 162 households will be completely displaced. An additional 988 are expected to be partially affected.
In order to provide compensation for land acquisition for this project, which is listed as a national pride project, inter-party discussions have recommended that compensation be determined on the basis of market value, government rate and bank valuation.
After the completion of the project, an artificial reservoir created by a 220-meter-high dam at Lamidanda will divert water through tunnels to Halesi Tuwachung Municipality of Dhitung for power generation.
Insurancekhabar
