A problem has been reported with the 70MW Mid-Marsyangdi Hydropower Project of Lamjung of late.
The project has its powerhouse at Siundi of Bhoteodar, whereas its dam is built at Udaipur’s Dalal.
According to project Chief Rajesh Kumar Pande, the problem resurfaced even though the dam had gone through intensive repairs just last year.
“The dam has suffered due to silting as well as the impacts of landslides near the dam site,” Pande said, adding they have sought time from Nepal Electricity Authority for necessary repairs.
“In view of the need for repairs, we’ve sought time, but the power utility is yet to give us its nod,” Pande informed, ruing the compulsion of having to conduct repairs in a rush for want of time.
“Last year too, we’d sought 25 days but we got was only 10 days and we had to complete the repairs in a haste, which might have to do with this year’s problem with the dam again,” he reasoned, adding that repairs could cost somewhere near 20 million rupees.
Meanwhile, engineers at the electricity centre have attributed the intermittent problems with the project to the poor modelling during the project construction phase itself. “Regarding the frequently appearing problems, we had also informed the then energy minister Radha Gyawali during her inspection visit, but to no avail,” Pande informed.
“Back then she had assured us to from an experts’ team to fix the problem, but nothing has happened so far,” he added.
As for the problems with the project hyped as one built according to international standards, a team including experts from Germany are carrying out necessary study with the financial support of KFW, the Government Bank of Germany.
Ever since its construction in 2008, the project has reported problems with civil and mechanical structures.
Source : The Himalayan Times.