There has been a breakthrough in the construction of the main tunnel (2,780 metres) at the Dordikhola Hydropower Project.

The 27MW power project is being developed in Lamjung, on the Dordi Corridor by Himalayan Power Partner Limited.

With the completion of tunnel digging in four years’ time, company director Chandra Dhakal and its executive director Guru Prasad Dhakal jointly marked the achievement.

According to project engineer Dipak Gyawali, construction of the project had started in February 2016.

Though Eco Infra Builder was involved in construction of the tunnel in the early phase, the hydropower developer company had broken contract with the company and chosen Multi Infra Structure Development Company to complete the remaining work of tunnel construction.

The tunnel stretches from then Chiti VDC-4, Riyale to Chiti-7, Ramchowk.

“While there will be a 3,200 metre head race pipeline from headworks to inlet, i.e. where the tunnel starts, 600 metres of the pipeline is yet to be connected. There is a 700-metre penstock pipe from the outlet to the powerhouse,” said Gyawali.

According to the project’s executive director Dhakal, the project was delayed by a number of factors such as the massive earthquakes and the subsequent blockade and incidents of monsoon floods and landslides.

The project’s head work has been constructed at Dordikhola on the confluence of Dhodeni, Faleni and Bansar. Its powerhouse has been constructed at Ramchowkbesi in Chiti. Project engineer Gyawali said so far 80 per cent of the project work was completed.

The powerhouse of the project will have three turbines, each with 9MW capacity. The project is expected to produce 147.69 gigawatt electricity per hour. The project is expected to cost around Rs 4.23 billion and NRN Investment Limited, IME Group, locals and commoners have invested in it.