Construction Of Phukot-Karnali Hydro Electric Project (480 MW) Started

The main dam will be constructed by diverting water from the Karnali River through a 1.5 km long and 11 m diameter diversion tunnel. The project is estimated to cost Rs. 1 Kharba. A 6 km main tunnel will be constructed in the project which will affect some areas of Raskot Municipality, Sannitriveni, Pachaljharna Village Municipality, and  Khadachakra Municipality. The project has a capacity of 480 MW  and aims to generate 2,455 gigawatt-hours of energy annually.

506 tunnels are being constructed in the powerhouse and 140 meters in the dam side to study the condition of the underground rock. Water will be brought to the powerhouse from 180-meter dam. There will be reservoirs in the lower part of Sannitriveni, Raskot, and Pachaljharna.

The project is to be built by the government-owned Vidhyut Utpadan Company Limited (VUCL). The DPR of the project has already been prepared. The electricity generated from the powerhouse will be connected to the 400 KV railing substation and sent to the national transmission line. The work of environmental impact assessment is in the final stage.

Due to the project, the ‘alignment’ of the 35 km road from Lalighat to Bhurabagar of Pachaljharna on the Khulalu-Humla road under the Karnali Corridor has to be changed. For this, a survey has been conducted to build a road from Tikhati through Raku, Luyata, Tikuwa, and Baddala above the power project.

Suggested Readings:

List Of Hydropower Projects With Construction License

List Of Hydropower Projects In Nepal (Developed By Private Sector)