The deadline for Rahughat Hydropower Company being constructed in Myagdi has been extended for the third time.

The 40-megawatt under-construction project is being promoted by Raghuganga hydropower project, the subsidiary of the Nepal Electricity Authority.

Jayprakash Associates (JP), an Indian company, was awarded the contract for Rs 6 billion on November 17, 2017 according to which the project ought to be accomplished within 45 months.

Unable to complete the project within the stipulated time, the deadline was extended for the first time in February 2022 while the second deadline expired on June 27 this year.

The deadline has been extended for the third time till November 27, 2025 at the recommendation of the consultant company, said Ganesh KC, the Managing Director of the Hydropower Project.

The much-awaited hydropower project has recorded 90 per cent physical progress as of now. The contractor company has attributed delay in the timely completion of the project to COVID-19 pandemic, flood and landslide and shortage of river-based construction materials.

Also, an Indian company- Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), which had inked an electromechanical agreement with the Hydropower worth over USD 12.93 million in October, 2019 could not carry out the import and installation of equipment for hydro project as per the target.

The contract with BHEL expires on December 31 this year.