The Tanahun Hydropower Project has continued the project construction works even during the Tihar holidays.

Tihar is the second biggest festival of the Nepali Hindus after Dashain and the government provides holiday for five days on the occasion each year.

The Project Office has said that the project construction continues also today, the day of Bhai Tika, the main day of the Tihar festival, with the goal of completing the project within the deadline.

Works are being carried out in two shifts-day and night. Works related to construction of the foundation of the project's dam are underway in the first phase while works related to 'concrete lining' and the powerhouse are under progress in the second phase, said Sachin Gautam, the Project's Communication Expert.

According to him, 200 workers are working in the two shifts. The Project had also continued its works during the Dashain festival period as well before this.

It is said that of the three phases in which the Project's works are being carried out; works under the first and second phase are continued during the Dashain and Tihar holidays.

Song Da Corporation, Vietnam –Kalika Construction Pvt Ltd is carrying out works on construction of a 140-meter high dam under the first phase. The works towards construction of the powerhouse are underway under the second phase.

The 140-megawatt-capacity project is located at Jhaputar, Ward No 1 of Rishing Rural Municipality in Tanahun district.

The Project Office said that 62 per cent of the works have been completed so far on overall assessment of the work progress.

The estimated total cost of the Project is 505 million US Dollars. Of this cost, the ADB will invest 150 million, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) 184 million, the European Investment Bank 85 million and the Government of Nepal– Nepal Electricity Authority 86 million USD.