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The 22-megawatt Seti Khola Hydropower Project, located on the border of Tanahun and Kaski districts, has begun trial electricity production.

The project has begun technical testing after completing construction of civil structures, hydromechanical systems and transmission lines, according to project officials.

The run-of-river project is located along the Seti River between Punditar, Pokhara Metropolitan City-33 and Katre, Kotre, Shuklagandaki Municipality-2.

Project chief engineer Ujjwal Regmi said all physical infrastructure have been completed, allowing the project to move into the testing phase.

The construction of the project started in April 2021 by M.A. Construction Pvt. Ltd., with an estimated budget of Rs. 5.2 billion.

Under the project, a dam has been built in the Tikhalang and Musetunda areas of Pokhara Metropolitan City wards 29, 30 and 33. Water from the Seti River is diverted through a 3,200-metre underground tunnel and dropped from a height of 68 metres at the powerhouse in Punditar.

The water is used to operate two turbines, each with a capacity of 11.5 MW, generating electricity which is then connected to the national grid through a substation at Punditar and a 1.5-kilometre transmission link to the 132 kV Lekhnath–Damauli line at tower no 56.

During the testing phase, water will be released into the river from the dam and powerhouse, which may cause sudden fluctuations in river flow. Authorities have warned locals along the Seti River to take precautions. The project has urged people not to go near the river, avoid swimming, fishing, sand and gravel extraction, or grazing livestock along the riverbanks during the testing period. Parents have also been asked to keep children away from the river.

It has further cautioned the public not to approach transmission towers between Kotre and Eaklekhet, as electricity may flow through the lines during technical testing.

Officials said safety awareness is important as testing continues along both the river and transmission infrastructure.

By Amar Raj Naharki