In Dolpa, which has recently been considered lagging behind in development and prosperity, a 328-megawatt Bharbung Hydropower Project is set to be constructed. For this purpose, the Department of Electricity Development has moved forward with the necessary studies and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.

According to the department, the physical infrastructure of the project will be constructed in Chharka Tangsong and Kaike rural municipalities of Dolpa. According to the project, electricity will be generated through two systems with a capacity of 3.10 MW using 325 MW from the Bharabung River and 1.12 cusecs of water from the Tatu River.

The project structures will include a 169-meter-high dam, a 766-meter-long diversion tunnel, an intake structure, and a 16-kilometer-long headrace tunnel. Similarly, underground powerhouses and water discharge canals will be constructed in Chharka Tangsong-4 and Kaike-1. Due to the reservoir, some areas of Chharka Tangsong Rural Municipality-5 are estimated to be submerged.

The total annual electricity generation is expected to be 933.19 gigawatt-hours. The project site is located approximately 12 kilometers from Jufal Airport in Dolpa. The generated electricity will be connected to two proposed substations.

The project is estimated to be constructed at a total cost of NPR 103.31 billion 93 million 31 thousand. The cost per megawatt has reached NPR 285.09 million 93 thousand 980.

The Department of Electricity Development has submitted the EIA report to the Ministry of Forests and Environment, along with a recommendation from the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, for approval of the project plan.

Urjasanchar