Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta West) - Electricity generation at the Gandak Hydropower Center, located in Guthhi Suryapura, Pratappur Rural Municipality-7 in Western Nawalparasi, has been completely halted.

Pitambar Bhusal, the head of the hydropower center, confirmed that the plant has been non-operational for the past one and a half months. The disruption in power production occurred after India ceased the flow of water from the Gandak canal, which originates in Triveni, Binayi Tribeni Rural Municipality, Eastern Nawalparasi.

Bhusal explained that the halt in electricity generation began after the water flow into the canal stopped on March 10. Reports indicate that India has temporarily closed the canal for cleaning and maintenance work.

In accordance with the Nepal-India Gandak Agreement, the hydropower center was constructed by India in 1979 and handed over to Nepal on August 31, 1981. The operation and control of the canal, which is part of this nearly 44-year-old center, fall under the jurisdiction of the Irrigation Department in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Bhusal further noted that the Indian side shuts down the canal twice a year - from mid-October to mid-December and from mid-March to mid-May. These closures significantly disrupt power generation, causing daily losses of around seven to eight lakh rupees.

Currently, the 15-megawatt capacity plant is producing only four to four and a half megawatts. Of the three turbines, only two are operational, while one is out of service due to a malfunction.

Bhusal emphasized that the center’s electrical equipment, which relies on outdated technology, urgently needs to be replaced and upgraded to ensure efficient operation.

Source: Kantipur