Installation work of transmission lines for the 140 MW Tanahun Hydropower Project speeds up

Kathmandu : A total of 32 towers for the transmission line dedicated to evacuating electricity to be generated by the 140 MW Tanahun Hydropower Project have been installed.

According to the project, the aforementioned number of towers have been constructed under the third package of the under-construction Tanahun Hydropower Project. In addition, the project has completed the foundation work of 51 towers.  

Shyamji Bhandari, head of the engineering and technical division of the project, said a total of 94 towers will be installed for the construction of transmission lines. Among them, the foundation protection work of eight towers has been completed.

He said that work is being done to connect the tower at one location, protect it at two locations and land at six locations. Likewise, 0.9883 km of wire has been stretched.

Under package III, KEC International, India is constructing a 36 km long 220 KV double circuit transmission line connecting Damauli, Tanahu to Bharatpur, Chitwan. A total of 59 land plots (more than 23 ropanis) will be acquired for the construction of the transmission line. Towards Tanahun, land within Byas Municipality-13 and 14, Bandipur Rural Municipality-6, Ambukhareni Rural Municipality-6, Devghat Rural Municipality-4 and 5 will be acquired, according to the project.

Under package I of the project, a 140-meter tall dam is being constructed by a joint venture of Songda Corporation and Vietnam-Kalika Construction Pvt Ltd Nepal. Likewise, construction of two diversion tunnels and slope building on two sides of the main dam is being done.

A 538.5 meters long diversion tunnel-1 and a 622.5 meters long diversion tunnel-2 are being constructed for the breakthrough of the concrete lining.

Under package II, Sino Hydro Corporation, China is undertaking the jobs for the construction of an underground powerhouse and main tunnel, equipment supply for installation and operation of underground power plants, main tunnels, and hydromechanics and electromechanical works. The concrete-related work for the construction of the power plant is underway.

The construction of the tailrace tunnel is in its final stage. Installation of penstock pipe and surge tank is in progress. The project has dug 790 meters out of 1,456 meters long main tunnel.

The total cost of the project (including transmission line, rural electrification and interest amount incurred during the construction period) is estimated at USD 505 million, out of which the Asian Development Bank is supporting USD 150 million, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is contributing USD 184 million, European Investment Bank USD 85 million and Government of Nepal and Nepal Electricity Authority will be assuming USD 86 million.

Meanwhile, the project has started taking action against contractors who are found delaying the installation work. Surendra Thapa, Chairman of Bandipur Rural Municipality, Tanahu, said that action has been taken against construction companies that do not work on time after signing the contracts.

Kusum Construction, Kasyap Nirman Sewa, Dharma and Kasyap JV and Khadgadevi Construction, among others, have stalled the construction work on various pretexts, informed Santosh Thapa, an engineer at the rural municipality.