Surkhet: Bheri-Babai Diversion Multipurpose Project has completed about 40% of the work. The National Pride construction project was started from 2004 to divert the water of Bheri River to Babai. It provides irrigation facility to 52,000 hectares of land of Banke and Bardiya districts and also produces 48-megawatt electricity.
For the first time in Nepal, the construction of the 12.2 kilometres long tunnel was constructed with the use of Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM). The dam and powerhouse will be constructed under the second package of the project.
Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Mr.Barshaman Pun inaugurated the construction of the dam and powerhouse under the second package in December 2019. Mr.Krishna Upadhyaya, information officer of the project, said through TBM, the finishing of the tunnel is in its final stage. He added a total 40% of the construction work is completed. The construction work will be completed on time as the work is carried on according to the target.
The construction work of the dam and powerhouse will be completed as well as the work under hydroelectric and electrical mechanical parts, according to project Head, Mr.Sanjeev Baral.
According to the project officials, the country will earn a profit of Rs 3.1 billion from agriculture and Rs 4 billion from electricity annually after the completion of the project.
The project is estimated to be completed within 2023.
