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Tanahun, Nepal: Compensation rates have been determined for structures located on land to be acquired for the construction of the 126 MW Lower Seti Hydropower Project in Tanahun. The decision was made by the Compensation Determination Committee, chaired by Chief District Officer Shivalal Tiwari, for the project, which is estimated to cost approximately US$227 million.

According to Hari Kumar Shrestha, Chief of the Lower Seti Hydropower Project, compensation has been fixed for houses, cattle sheds, temporary shelters, and other structures situated on land to be acquired for the construction of the powerhouse, office buildings, staff quarters, and other project infrastructure.

Tanahun Hydropower Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), has awarded the related contract to R.K. Hydro Engineering & Associates Pvt. Ltd. Although the contract was signed on February 19, 2024, construction was delayed due to a prolonged approval process for the use of explosives.

Project Chief Shrestha said the project is expected to generate approximately 520.78 million units (kWh) of electricity annually. The dam will be constructed on the Seti River near Saranghat in Bandipur Rural Municipality, Tanahun. The project’s Detailed Project Report (DPR) was prepared with grant assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The project will affect areas within Bandipur Rural Municipality-6, Byas Municipality Wards 13 and 14, Devghat Rural Municipality Wards 2, 3, and 4, Rishing Rural Municipality Wards 1 and 3, Ambukhaireni Rural Municipality Wards 5 and 6, and parts of Bharatpur Metropolitan City-29.

A semi-underground powerhouse will be constructed at Gaighat in Devghat Rural Municipality-4. The electricity generated by the project will be integrated into Nepal’s national grid through the 220 kV Damauli-New Bharatpur Transmission Line, which was constructed under the Tanahun Hydropower Project.

Jalasarokar