Seti River diverted to build dam for Tanahun Hydro Project

By Amar Raj Naharki,Tanahun, Nov. 7: The Seti River has been diverted for the construction of the main dam of the 140 MW Tanahun Hydropower Project.

Construction of the dam has been started by diverting the river through a diversion tunnel.

According to the project, the Seti River which flows through the border of Rishing Rural Municipality-1 and Vyas Municipality-5, has been diverted by constructing a 626.92-metre long tunnel from the coastal area above the 140-metre high concrete main dam construction site.

The water has been released from the main dam construction site to the lower coastal area and again back into the Seti River.

Shantiraman Wagle, chief of District Coordination Committee, Tanahun, Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority and Chairman of Board of Directors of Tanahun Hydropower Limited Kul Man Ghising, Chief District Officer of Tanahun Chhabilal Rijal and Senior Director of Asian Development Bank Priyantha Wijayatunga launched the work of diverting the river amidst a function held here on Monday.

On the occasion, Wagle said that he was happy that the work was accelerated so that the project would be completed within the stipulated time.

Stating that the project has passed an important phase of construction, he emphasised that the construction of the project should be completed as soon as possible.

Wagle expressed his commitment to solving the local problems that may arise during the construction and not to obstruct the construction work.

He said that the project should pay full attention to fulfill the aspirations of the local residents.

Ghising said that river diversion was an important milestone and a leap forward for the construction of the project.

Although there was some delay in the selection of consultants and contractors in the past, the work is being forwarded as a model project with a target to complete it in time, he said.

Mayor of Vyas Municipality Baikuntha Neupane said that the project should be completed within the stipulated time by being cautious of the people with vested interests.

Dadhiraj Subedi, Mayor of Bhimad Municipality, said that the construction of the project has entered a new phase and has given a positive message at a time when complaints are being heard everywhere that nothing was being done in the country.

Chief District Officer Rijal said that the project should be declared a national pride project based on its nature, its cost, and the employment opportunities it would create.

He said that the project has reached its current stage due to the coordinating role of the local levels and administration. Senior Director of Asian Development Bank Priyantha Wijayatunga said that after the completion of Kaligandaki Hydropower Project, the bank invested in the project.

The social and environmental protection activities adopted by this project could be applied in Dudhkoshi hydropower project.

Stating that important works were done in Nepal's energy sector in the last one year, he said that the ADB was going to invest in big projects like Dudhkoshi hydropower. Kiran Kumar Shrestha, Managing Director of Tanahun Hydropower Project, said that all attention was focused on completing the Tanahun Hydropower Project as a reservoir-based project after the Kulekhani project within the stipulated time.

He said that the local levels, administration, local residents and others have fully supported and cooperated in the construction of the project.

About a 40-metre high temporary concrete dam will be constructed to divert the river for the duration of the main dam construction.

The dam can be constructed before the onset of the next monsoon.

The overall construction progress of the project is about 47 per cent. The  overall construction is expected to complete by May 2026. The main construction work of the project is divided into three packages.