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The 40 MW Rahughat Hydropower Project, promoted by Raghuganga Hydropower - a subsidiary of the Nepal Electricity Authority - has achieved 95 percent physical progress and is now in the final stage of preparation for test generation.

According to Managing Director Ganesh KC, construction of major structures, including the tunnel, dam, and powerhouse, has been completed, while installation of equipment is also nearing completion. He said finishing works are currently underway, and preparations for structural testing are in progress with a target to begin test production by mid-June.

“We are preparing to conduct testing by sealing four inlets and filling the tunnel with water,” KC said.

The dam has been constructed in Raghuganga Rural Municipality-4, Dagnam, and Ward No. 5, Jhinko Phedi. Meanwhile, the main tunnel, approximately 6.27 kilometers long, along with two settling ponds, has already been completed. At the Tilkenichaur-based powerhouse, one 20 MW unit has already been installed, while installation of the second unit is in its final stage.

A switchyard has also been constructed to connect the generated electricity to the national transmission system. Power produced from Rahughat will be integrated into the national grid via the 220 kV Dana-Kushma transmission line under the Kaligandaki Corridor.

Construction of the project began on November 17, 2017, after awarding the contract to India’s JP Group. Although the initial target was to complete the project within 45 months, repeated deadline extensions were required due to the COVID-19 pandemic, floods and landslides, and shortages of construction materials.

Similarly, a contract was signed with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) for the installation of electromechanical equipment. The project is being financed through a concessional loan from the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of India, along with joint investment from the Government of Nepal and the Nepal Electricity Authority.

The Rahughat project aims to generate approximately 240 million units of electricity annually. With transmission infrastructure also nearing completion, electricity generation is expected to begin within the next few months.

Jalasarokar