KATHMANDU, June 4: The main tunnel of the 900 mw Arun III Hydropower Project under construction in Sankhuwasabha has achieved a breakthrough today.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal marked the breakthrough of the main tunnel of Arun III amid a ceremony on Tuesday.

PM Dahal monitored the Dam site and power house in Chichila Rural Municipality of Arun III from a helicopter.  

Over 70 percent of the project being constructed by Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) of India has been completed.

The length of the main tunnel is 11.837 kilometers from Fyaksindha to the exit of Pukhuwa. The tunnel achieved a breakthrough in Aamrang today at 10 AM and participated in a program at Pukhuwa.

It is stated that the entire construction will be completed in a year if the project progresses without any issues. There is provision in the Project Development Agreement (PDA) that the locals will receive shares after the completion of the project. It is mentioned in the PDA that shares will be distributed to the locals within a year after the commencement of commercial production.

Nepal will get 21 percent free electricity from the estimated cost of around Rs 104 billion, and  Rs 300 billion financial benefits will be under various headings.

Local families will receive up to 30 units of electricity free per month after the production of electricity. It is mentioned in the PDA that the project will be handed over to the Government of Nepal after 25 years of operation. About 4000 workers including both Nepali and Indian workers are employed in the Arun III Project.