Kathmandu. Construction of 180 MW Kaligandaki Gorge Hydropower Project has begun in Myagdi district. The project under the promoter of Kaligandaki Gorge Hydropower Pvt Ltd has started the construction of a tunnel using explosives at Bhalebas of Annapurna rural municipality-4 in Myagdi district.

Raman Singh, director of the project, said that the project was targeted to complete the project in the next four years. “A 5-kilometer-long 600-metre long tunnel will be constructed. “The civil contractor South Asian Infrastructure has been mobilized at the powerhouse and dam construction site,” he said. ’

Project Chief Singh said that preparations are underway to construct a dam at Thapla of Thasang rural municipality-4 and a powerhouse at Annapurna rural municipality-4 of Myagdi.

The project, which is ‘run-of-the-river’ nature, will have a penstock pipeline in one kilometer. The height of the outlet from the powerhouse is 480 meters. The construction of the promoter company, the contractor and the Nepal Army office, residence and explosive storage building has reached the final stage.

An eight-kilometer access road has been constructed. Preparations are underway to connect a bailey bridge at Gadpar to reach the project site. The electricity generated from Kaligandaki Gorge will be connected to the central grid by constructing a 220-KV transmission line from Gharap to Dana.

According to Krishna Das Shrestha, senior manager of the project, Global IME Bank will be led by Global IME Bank, Himalayan Bank and Prabhu Bank will invest in the project. He said that arrangements have been made to invest 10 percent shares for the residents of the affected areas. The project was inaugurated with religious rituals in the presence of Annapurna Rural Municipality-4 Ward Chairman Lok Bahadur Phagami, people’s representatives, local leaders, promoter companies, construction companies and security agencies.

Ward chair Phagami said Kaligandaki Gorge is the biggest hydropower project of Myagdi district so far. According to him, five hydropower projects with a capacity of 162 MW have been constructed in the rivers flowing through Narchyang.

Ghalemdi Khola (5 MW), Mristi Khola (42 MW), Nilgiri (38 MW), Nilgiri (1 MW), Nilgiri-2 (71 MW) and Relekhola (6 MW) have already come into operation.

The 66.3 MW Middle Kaligandaki Hydropower Project is under construction. Construction of 9.14 MW Super Ghalemdi Hydropower Project is underway.