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Land acquisition has begun for the 126 MW Lower Seti Hydropower Project, which is set to be constructed in Tanahun district.

The project will utilize regulated water from the Tanahun Hydropower Project along with additional flow from the Madi River to generate electricity in the downstream area. According to Project Chief Shyamji Bhandari, the detailed project report (DPR) has already been completed, and land acquisition has started in Devghat Rural Municipality for the construction of the powerhouse, offices, and staff housing.

A subcommittee under the compensation determination committee has already completed the measurement of structures in the affected areas and prepared a damage assessment report. Meanwhile, construction of the access tunnel has also begun.

Under the project, a 32-meter-high dam will be built on the Seti River. Water will be diverted through a 6.8-kilometer-long tunnel to a semi-underground powerhouse to be constructed on the bank of the Kali Gandaki River, where electricity will be generated.

The powerhouse will be built at Gaighat in Devghat Rural Municipality–4. The electricity produced will be connected to the national grid through the 220 kV Damauli–New Bharatpur transmission line. For this, an additional transmission line of about 2 kilometers will need to be constructed.

The project is expected to create a reservoir stretching approximately 12 kilometers and generate around 520 million units of electricity annually. The estimated cost of the project is about NPR 25 billion.

Although the project will impact areas across Tanahun and nearby local levels, it is expected to make a significant contribution to energy production and regional development once completed.

Jalasarokar