According to a knowledgeable source at the Civil Construction Division of the project, multiple cracks have already developed in the tunnel, whose length will be 1,100 meters long and is currently under construction.
After the tunnel developed cracks, Bigyan Prasad Shrestha, officiating chief of the project, without following proper procedures, had personally written to the Chinese contractor Sino Hydro to repair the tunnel at higher rate, the source said.
The source claimed that the problem in the tunnel surfaced after the project used sub-standard materials during the construction.
Currently, the construction company is carrying out the repair task rapidly. Technically, the crack in the ceiling of the tunnel is considered dangerous, according to engineers.
Bimal Gurung, chief engineer of the project, however, said the project management consultant is responsible for the cracks because even after learning that the rock formation at the site is weak, did not recommend proper measures and settled for ordinary grade construction material.
“We have sought clarification from the consultant agencies,” he said.
According to a technician of the project, the tunnel ceiling had started developing cracks rapidly after the project started erecting a concrete pillar. “Fearing that the irregularities would come to public fore, Chief Shreshta covertly awarded the repair work contract to the construction company without soliciting competitive bids,” said he.
After the cracks in the tunnel, the locals for the last two months have been forbidden to visit the tunnel.
Similarly, the construction of a 372 meters long penstuck tunnel in the dam site of the project for the last several days has been obstructed following some technical faults.
A few days ago, locals of Dolakha had visited the capital to draw the attention of the government toward alleged irregularities in the project. They have also accused the project officials of embezzling millions of rupees meant for the local development.
The estimated cost of the hydropower project being developed by the government is Rs 35 billion and is expected to start generating electricity by 2015.
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