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Photo: TRN A scenic view of Badigad River, Resunga, Gulmi.

A long-discussed plan to harness the hydropower potential of the Badigad River is finally moving forward, bringing renewed hope and optimism to local communities.

The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, in coordination with the Department of Electricity Development, has initiated plans for the Lower Badigad Hydropower Project, a reservoir-based project with a proposed capacity of 237.2 megawatts.

For years, despite the river’s strong potential for electricity generation, no concrete development had materialised.

Following the establishment of local governments, Musikot Municipality and Satyawati Rural Municipality had explored rafting initiatives and conducted trial runs, but sustainable plans remained elusive.

The new hydropower project marks a significant turning point.

The ambitious project will involve the construction of a 195-meter-high dam, to be located approximately 700 metres upstream from the confluence of Lumdi Khola and the Badigad River.

The site lies along the border of Satyawati Rural Municipality–4 and Rurukshetra Rural Municipality–6.

According to Yadav Dhungana, Senior Administrative Officer at Hydro Consult Engineering in Kathmandu, the project will also include a 3.1-kilometre tunnel and a powerhouse near Rudrabeni Bazaar in Rurukshetra Rural Municipality–2.

The powerhouse will be situated on the right bank of the Kaligandaki River, about 750 metres downstream from its confluence with the Badigad River.

As a reservoir-based project, the development is expected to submerge significant portions of land across multiple affected areas, including Chhatrakot, Gulmidarbar, Rurukshetra, Resunga, Musikot, Chandrakot, and Satyawati. Authorities have begun collecting data to determine compensation for affected residents.

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report is currently under preparation. Public hearings, conducted in line with the Environment Protection Act (2019) and Environment Protection Regulations (2020), have already taken place in the impacted communities.

With an estimated budget of Rs. 125 billion, the project is expected to be completed within five years.

Officials believe it will significantly boost regional development.

In addition to the Lower Badigad project, another hydropower initiative is being prepared at Barlwa in Kaligandaki Rural Municipality–7, spanning parts of Gulmi, Parbat, and Baglung districts.

Dron Bahadur Khatri, Chief of the District Coordination Committee, said that the two projects together could generate around Rs. 150 million annually in revenue for the affected local governments.

As preparations advance, residents are increasingly hopeful that the long-awaited utilization of the Badigad River will bring economic growth, infrastructure development, and new opportunities to the region.