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Construction of the main dam of the 140-megawatt Tanahu Hydropower Project, under construction in Rishing Rural Municipality of Tanahu, has gained momentum. So far, 62 percent of the work on the 140-meter-high main dam being constructed under Package 1 of the project has been completed.

Project Chief Shyamji Bhandari said a total of 850,000 cubic meters of concrete is required for construction of the main dam, of which 473,761 cubic meters has been placed so far.

According to him, the main dam is one of the project’s key structures. As concrete placement work at the dam is continuing, construction progress is expected to accelerate further in the coming days.

Song Da-Kalika JV has been contracted to construct the dam and other structures under Package 1. Project Chief Bhandari said the overall physical progress of the package has reached 59 percent.

Under Package 1, excavation of the hill required for construction of the main dam, construction of access roads, construction of a temporary dam to divert the Seti River, and construction of two diversion tunnels have already been completed. The flow of the Seti River has also been diverted for construction of the main dam.

Temporary dams have been completed both upstream and downstream of the main dam. Likewise, all eight grouting tunnels located on both sides of the dam have been constructed. Concrete placement for the main dam began on March 20, 2025.

To strengthen and stabilize the dam foundation, core drilling, water pressure testing, consolidation grouting, and curtain grouting have been completed in various grouting galleries.

Similarly, shotcrete application, installation of wire mesh, and construction of gabions for slope stabilization around the dam and river protection are also continuing. According to the project, work on structures related to the dam is progressing in line with the scheduled targets.

Construction of the Tanahu Hydropower Project is being carried out under three packages. Package 1 covers construction of the main dam and associated structures.

Jalasarokar