By Narayan Tumbapo

Phidim, Oct. 18: Stakeholders are elated after an agreement was inked to construct the Tamor Reservoir Hydropower Project, one of the national pride projects, in Phidim.
The project having a capacity to generate 756 megawatt power is being constructed in collaboration with the Chinese and Nepali hydropower companies.
The agreement was signed between the Investment Board of Nepal and a Chinese company during the recent state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Nepal.
This project has been highly prioritised by both the Federal and State 1 Governments. It has been expected that the project would contribute to the prosperity of not only the State 1 but the whole nation.
“This project is the pearl of east Nepal,” said Minister for Financial Affairs and Project of State 1 Indra Bahadur Angbo.
Minister Angbo informed that the ministry had also planned to develop the project as a multipurpose one.
According to the current fiscal year budget statement, the Tamor Chisang Diversion Multipurpose Reservoir Project will be given priority in the State with the support of the Federal Government.
This project will be effective in achieving 9.7 per cent of economic growth in the span of five years, said Angbo, adding that it would also be helpful in achieving the target of the government to increase the per capita income of the people to US Dollar 1620.
According to the agreement, the Chinese government will invest 74 per cent of the total cost and Nepal government 26 per cent for the project.
The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 150 billion. Minister Angbo declared that the locals of State 1 would be given priority for investing in the project. According to a study, an embankment will be constructed between the Kummayak Rural Municipality and Okhre,

Naudhunge of Chhathar Rural Municipality in Terhathum district. The latest study has shown that a 200 metres high embankment would be helpful for generating 756 megawatt hydropower from the project.
It will take three years to prepare a comprehensive study of the project and the construction of the project duration would be of seven years. The Tamor Reservoir Project will be cheaper than the Budhigandaki Reservoir Project, but highly profitable. It has been estimated that the loss from the inundation and environment impact of the project will be less in the project.
According to the technical study, only five per cent of the land would be suitable for irrigation. Only 126 households will be displaced from the project site. So, the project may not face social interruptions.
Federal Member of the Parliament Basanta Kumar Nembang said, “We are enthusiastic with the Investment Board’s decision for providing responsibility of the project to the China Power Company.” It is sure that the project will be successful as the agreement was signed during the visit of Chinese president Xi Jinping, said Nembang.
He said that the project would be a milestone for the prosperity of the nation. Ward chair Devendra Lawati of Kummayak Rural Municipality said that the local representatives would fully help in building the project.
The project will help upgrade the living standards of locals with the development of Agriculture and Tourism sectors in Panchthar, Terhathum and Taplejung districts.