The deadline for completion of Nikachhu hydropower project in Trongsa has been extended by a year. The project is now scheduled to be complete in April 2021.
Project officials said the delay has been caused by unforeseen challenges at the dam site and tunnels.
“We get a lot of rain in Trongsa and rain affected access road to various sites,” Sujan Rai, the Deputy Managing Director of Nikahchhu Project, said.
Heavy seepage of water inside one of the tunnels during its excavation in June this year also impeded the work progress.
“The other reason is at present, both in Bhutan and India, the construction companies are going through the same problem of cash flow. So, because of the cash flow, we could not progress as per the original plan,” Sujan Rai added.
The construction of the 118 Megawatt Nikahchhu Hydropower Project began in April 2016. Only a little more than 23 per cent of works were completed as of November this year.
The Tangsibji Hydro Energy Limited, a fully owned subsidiary company of the Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC), is undertaking the implementation of the project.
The project is expected to cost Nu 11.96bn. It is largely funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Once complete, the tail water of the project will be discharged into the reservoir of the Mangdechhu Project, generating additional power.
The power generated will be sold to the Power Trading Corporation of India Limited.
