SINDHULI: Prime Minister (PM) Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ marked a milestone today as the breakthrough of the Sunkoshi-Marin Diversion Multi-purpose Project tunnel was achieved.

The Prime Minister oversaw the breakthrough during a ceremony held at Kanadhungri, Sunkoshi rural municipality-7.

With the press of a button, PM Dahal initiated the breakthrough, signaling the completion of the tunnel, which stretches from Kusumtar, Kamalamai municipality-2, to Kanadhungri of Sunkoshi-7, covering a distance of 13.3 kilometers.

This accomplishment comes a year ahead of the projected schedule, a testament to the dedication and efficiency of the project team.

Project Chief Mitra Baral expressed pride in the achievement, noting that the breakthrough was accomplished in 19 months since the commencement of tunnel excavation.

Despite encountering challenges such as dry landslides and mudslides, the team persevered, advancing up to 72 meters in a single day at times.

The tunnel, boasting a diameter of 5.5 meters, is constructed using quality segments and state-of-the-art technology.

It will serve a crucial role in the Sunkoshi-Marin Diversion Project, facilitating the construction of a 30-meter high, 158-meter long dam across the Sunkoshi river at Kanadhungri.

This dam will redirect water through the tunnel to the Marinkhola stream at Kusumtar, where it will be utilized to generate 31.07 megawatts of electricity.

The contract for the construction of the tunnel was awarded to the Chinese construction company, China Overseas Engineering, renowned for its expertise in tunnel construction.

Having previously executed similar projects, COVEC was entrusted with the task, receiving a contract worth Rs 10 billion 50 million and 680 thousand for the tunnel alone.

The Sunkoshi-Marin Diversion Project is envisioned to provide irrigation water and electricity to the five districts of Madhes throughout the year.

With a focus on enhancing agricultural productivity and addressing energy needs, the project aims to irrigate 122 thousand hectares of land in Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Mahottari, and Dhanusha districts, leveraging the infrastructure of the Bagmati irrigation project.

The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 49.42 billion, reflecting the scale and significance of this endeavor in advancing the socio-economic development of the region.