The major execution works of the 720 megawatt Mangdechhu Hydropower Project (MHP) is all set to begin. The execution work will include construction of concrete river diversion dam, headrace tunnel and underground power house.
The Economic Affairs Minister, Khandu Wangchuk, attended the ground breaking ceremony for the execution works in Trongsa yesterday.
The preliminary works of the project like land acquisition, obtaining environmental and forestry clearances took about nine months to complete. It began in July last year. Constructions of approach roads to the dam site, power house and headrace tunnel have also been completed.
Now, the major execution works are to begin. “Government has two prime objectives for starting hydropower projects in the country. One is to make our country self reliant and another one is to provide employment to the youth. All the rivers used for commencing hydropower projects, have the capacity to produce 30,000 megawatts of electricity in the country,” said the Economic Affairs Minister, Khandu Wangchuk.
Currently, Kurichu, Tala, Basochu and Chhukha hydropower houses produce about 1500 megawatt of electricity.
Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk said 10 additional hydropower projects will be started in all the 20 dzongkhags. “For balanced development, the projects will be started in the east, central in Trongsa, Bumthang and Zhemgang and in North. In east, we have begun Kolongchu and Kuri-Gongri projects, in Central Chamkhar chu and Mangdechhu. In north, Bunakha and Wangchu projects will start and in south, Amochu and Sunkosh projects will begin,” explained how it is regionally balanced.
The MHP’s Managing Director, A.K.Mishra, has committed to complete the project before the scheduled deadline. “As my personal commitment on behalf of the authority and both the governments, that we will deliver this project before the schedule that is before September 2017. MHPA is trying to create Mangdechhu project as a benchmark project for future references in Bhutan,” he added.
Under the major execution works, dam site will be constructed at Chungjapang, which is 14 kilometres from Trongsa towards Zhemgang. A headrace tunnel will be built at Eusa, 21 kilometers towards Zhemgang from Trongsa. Also, the underground power house will be constructed at Yurmoo, which is 45 kilometres from Trongsa to Zhemgang highway. According to the revised cost estimate of the project, the total cost comes to Nu. 38 billion.
