Khandbari, March 26 : Construction works of the Arun Third Hydroelectricity Project have been halted due to the coronavirus menace. The 900-Megawatts capacity project is being built in Sankhuwasabha.
The Project Office here has said the construction works on the project have been suspended after the government announced the week-long national lockdown on Tuesday (March 24) to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
Indian construction company Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited is undertaking the construction of the project. Company CEO Arun Dhiman said the construction works on the project have been suspended since Tuesday.
There are more than 2,500 Indian and Nepali workers employed for the construction of the Arun Third project. Satluj Company is undertaking the construction of the project’s dam site at Phyaksida of Makalu Rural Municipality and of the powerhouse at Diding of Chichila Rural Municipality. It is said 35 per cent of the construction works of the project have been completed so far.
Jaya Prakash Associates, an Indian construction company, is constructing the dam of the project while another Indian company, Patel Engineering Company, is constructing the powerhouse. The project is to be completed in five years at an estimated investment of Rs 120 billion. As per the project’s PDA, Nepal will get Rs 340 billion as royalty and free electricity in the period of 25 years. RSS
