KALIKOT, Feb 19: The tunnel construction of the Phukot-Karnali semi-reservoir hydropower project has reached its final stage. The construction of the tunnel, which started two years ago, has reached its final stage.

The Phukot Karnali hydropower project of 480 megawatts to be built in Sanni Triveni Rural Municipality-1 of Kalikot is set to be completed in the year 2027.

For Phukot Karnali Hydro, 520 meters of tunnels have to be dug on both sides, 480 meters of tunnels have been completed, now only 40 meters of test tunnels are left to be dug, said Hirawan Waiba, the head of the project.

"Before constructing a tunnel for a hydroelectric project, a test tunnel is dug as a feasibility study," he said.

The power house is said to be constructed by dropping water in Bhautegada through a 12 km tunnel from the reservoir which will be constructed by building a 160 meter high dam in Sisnegada of Sanni Triveni Rural Municipality of Kalikot.

After the construction of the test tunnel, the data from the start of the project and the situation found now will be re-examined, the head of the project, Waiba, informed Republica. "Rock mechanical test is also done," he said, "Looking at the tunnel dug so far, the rocky part has been found to be good." “Since the power house will be built inside the ground, it is estimated that it will be suitable for that too,” added Waiba.

Waiba, the head of the project, informed Republica that Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) technology was used to dig the tunnel of the project.

 
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