KATHMANDU: The overall physical progress of the 140 MW Tanahu Hydropower Project has reached 75.5 percent, according to Tanahu Hydropower Limited (THL), a subsidiary wholly owned by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).
The reservoir-based project, being constructed on the Seti River as a national pride project, is being financed by the Government of Nepal, the NEA, and concessional loans from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the European Investment Bank (EIB).
Construction of the dam and headworks under Package 1 has reached 59 percent completion.
The project said concreting of the 140-metre-high main dam began on March 20, 2025, after the Seti River was diverted through a diversion tunnel. Grouting gallery tunnel excavation, drilling, and concreting on both riverbanks are currently progressing.
Under Package 2, which covers the powerhouse and electromechanical equipment, overall progress has reached 77 percent.
The package, being executed by China’s Sinohydro Corporation, has completed excavation of all underground structures. Concreting of the powerhouse, surge tank, cable tunnel, and tailrace has also been completed.
Installation of turbines, generators, main inlet valves, and other electromechanical equipment is currently underway. Of the total 213.3-metre penstock pipeline, 211.3 metres have been installed, with painting and testing now in progress.
Meanwhile, construction of the 33-kilometre Damouli–Bharatpur 220 kV transmission line under Package 3 has reached 78 percent completion.
The package, being implemented by India’s KEC International Limited, includes 94 transmission towers. Foundations for 79 towers have been completed, while 69 towers have already been erected.
The project said tree-felling work on the Chitwan section has been completed and the report has been submitted to the Bagmati Province Forest Directorate, while work in Tanahun is ongoing.
Recently, delegations from the ADB and JICA visited the project site to review construction progress as well as environmental and social safeguard measures.
The project has continued consultations with residents of Beteni, Jhaputar, Hoksetar, and Belbas in Byas Municipality. It said priority is being given to reducing noise and dust pollution, constructing gabion structures to protect riverbanks before the monsoon, and installing sirens as part of an emergency warning system.
To support biodiversity conservation, a fish hatchery has been established within the project area. The project has also agreed to revise the Madi Offset Plan based on the “no net loss” principle for the Madi River ecosystem.
According to THL, 96 community development projects have been completed in project-affected areas through user committees. Seven additional projects, including school buildings, truss bridges, and suspension bridge cable installations, are currently under implementation.
Under its gender equality and social inclusion programme, women from the Magar community in Paltyang of Rishing Rural Municipality-8 have received training in off-season vegetable farming, financial literacy, agricultural inputs, and hand tractors.
The company also said orientation programmes have been conducted for members of the compensation determination committee to ensure transparency in land acquisition and compensation distribution within the protected area.
Meanwhile, THL said the detailed project report for the proposed 126 MW Lower Seti Hydropower Project has been completed. Its Environmental Impact Assessment report has been submitted to the Ministry of Forests and Environment, while field surveys and data collection for compensation determination have also been completed. Construction of the project’s exploratory tunnel portal has been successfully finished.
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