Kathmandu, January 14

A high-level team of the Ministry of Energy and Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has directed the Mid-Bhotekoshi hydropower project to complete the construction works within the next two years. After the field visit of the 102-megawatt capacity project in Sindhupalchowk district, the high-level government officials have directed the project to complete the construction works within the aforementioned deadline.

Energy Secretary Anup Kumar Upadhyay and Managing Director of NEA Kul Man Ghising, have consulted with the project management team, consultant and the contractor of the project. They have urged the concerned parties to start all related works as soon as possible.

The project had initially set a target to complete the construction process within 2017, however it has completed only 40 per cent of the total works. It was

affected by the landslide in Jure in 2014 and the earthquakes of 2015. The project has thus changed its target and set a new deadline to complete construction works within June 2019.

However, construction schedule has not been finalised yet.

The project was initiated by Chilime Hydropower Company when Ghising was the managing director of the company. Along with Chilime, NEA, investment companies, depositors of Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and the general public of Sindhupalchowk district have made investments in the project. Meanwhile, EPF has also provided a loan to the project. The project is estimated to cost Rs 12.28 billion when it is completed.

“The construction process of the project is not satisfactory. The project should be completed within the next two years and the concerned officials must stick to this deadline,” Ghising stated. “All the related works should be completed in a parallel manner.”

Along with the Mid-Bhotekoshi hydropower project, Chilime has initiated three other projects — Sanjen, Upper Sanjen and Rasuwagadhi hydropower projects. The construction process of these projects is moving ahead smoothly.