Construction begins on 180 MW Kaligandaki Gorge Hydropower Project

MYAGDI, June 9: Construction of the 180 MW Kaligandaki Gorge Hydropower Project has begun in Myagdi district.

Project developer Kaligandaki Gorge Hydropower Pvt. Ltd. started tunnel excavation using explosives on Monday at Bhalebas in Annapurna Rural Municipality-4.

Project Director Raman Singh said the project aims to be completed within four years. Preparations are underway to excavate tunnels from four different locations, including the proposed dam site, Gadpar and the powerhouse site at Gharap.

“A 5.6-kilometre tunnel will be constructed,” Singh said. “Civil contractor South Asian Infrastructure has already been mobilized at both the powerhouse and dam sites.”

According to Singh, the dam will be built at Pahiro Thapla in Thasang Rural Municipality-4 of Mustang, while the powerhouse will be located at Gharap in Annapurna Rural Municipality-4 of Myagdi.

The run-of-river project will include a one-kilometre penstock pipeline and a gross head of 480 metres between the powerhouse and the outlet. Construction of offices, staff accommodation and an explosives storage facility for the developer, contractor and the Nepal Army is in its final stage.

An eight-kilometre access road has already been completed, while preparations are underway to install a Bailey bridge at Gadpar to improve access to the project site.

Electricity generated by the project will be connected to the national grid through a one-kilometre, 220 kV transmission line linking Gharap to Dana.

Senior Manager Krishnadas Shrestha said the project is estimated to cost Rs 40 billion. Financing will be led by Global IME Bank, along with Laxmi Sunrise Bank, Himalayan Bank and Prabhu Bank.

He added that residents of the affected areas will be offered 10 percent equity participation in the project.

The project was formally launched through a religious ceremony attended by local representatives, community leaders, company officials, contractors and security personnel. Ward Chairperson Lok Bahadur Phagami said Kaligandaki Gorge is the largest hydropower project ever undertaken in Myagdi.

Several hydropower projects are already operating in rivers flowing through Narchyang, including the 5 MW Ghalemdikhola Hydropower Project, 42 MW Mristikhola Hydropower Project, 38 MW Nilgiri-1 Hydropower Project, 71 MW Nilgiri-2 Hydropower Project and 6 MW Relekhola Hydropower Project.

The 66.3 MW Middle Kaligandaki Hydropower Project is currently under construction along the Kaligandaki River, while preparations are underway to begin work on the 9.14 MW Super Ghalemdi Hydropower Project.