Myagdi: The excavation work of the tunnel of Darwang Myagdi Khola Hydropower Project, which is under-construction in Darbang, Malika Rural Municipality-6 of western Myagdi, has started. The excavation work of Audit No. 1 tunnel has been started for building the 25 MW project. According to the project, the excavation of the auxiliary tunnel to the main tunnel has been started using explosives under the supervision and management of the Nepali Army.

The project is being constructed by Dhaulagiri Kalika Hydro Limited with the investment of migrants from Myagdi and locals to generate electricity from the Myagdi River. There will be a five and a half kilometers tunnel of the project at the foot of the border area of ??Malika Rural Municipality-7 Bhim and Ward 5 Devisthan and Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality-7.

According to Bal Kumar Rokka, the site engineer of the project, after excavating two hundred fifty meters as per the audit, it will be connected to the main tunnel and the tunnel will be connected to the dam and powerhouse. "Preparations are underway to dig a tunnel from the dam and lower outlet in Elpu," Rokka said.

Chairperson of the Hydropower Project Binod Kunwar said that the construction of the tunnel would be expedited. “We will complete the project on time. The residents of the affected areas also have the opportunity to invest,” said Chairman Kunwar. He also said that the excavation of the tunnel will be done in two shifts - at night and in the afternoon - from next month.

Chairperson of Malika Rural Municipality, Shri Prasad Roka flagged off the excavation of the tunnel on Sunday. The program was attended by Vice-chairperson Kharmaya Bitalu, ward chairpersons Santosh Subedi, Tanka Prasad Pun and Resham Jugjali, project operators Chitra Pun and Amit Gauchan including the technical team.