The construction of the main tunnel of the 21.5-megawatt Sabha Khola “B” Hydropower Project, being built in Sabhapokhari Rural Municipality of Sankhuwasabha, has been completed. Under the project, the 4,110-meter-long tunnel was successfully “broken through” on Monday.

The formal inauguration of the tunnel breakthrough was carried out by Ganesh Karki, Managing Director of Orbit Energy Limited. This project, being advanced with private sector investment, has its intake located in Sabhapokhari Rural Municipality–3, while the project structures are spread across Wards No. 3, 4, and 5.

According to information provided by Project In-charge Krishna Prasad Pant, construction of the main tunnel from the intake to the penstock pipe installation point has been completed. Next, concrete lining will be carried out inside the tunnel, after which water will be conveyed to the powerhouse through a 1,045-meter-long penstock pipe.

So far, the project has achieved around 75 percent physical progress. Construction of the project began on November 9, 2022, and the target is to complete it by May 6, 2023.

Electricity generated by the project will be connected to the national grid through the Nepal Electricity Authority’s substation under construction at Sittalpati, Khandbari Municipality–10. The project has stated that about 60 percent of the required transmission line construction has already been completed.

The project, which involves an investment of around five billion rupees, has Vaibhav Power Nepal Pvt. Ltd. as its main construction company. Alongside the project, social development programs such as employment generation, education, health services, drinking water, road construction, and the building of Bailey bridge crossings have also been implemented in the affected areas.

Urjasanchar