The Bheri Babai Diversion Multipurpose Project, a national pride initiative launched in Fiscal Year 2014/15, has achieved 83.7% progress. The project aims to divert water from the Bheri River to the Babai River, providing irrigation to 51,000 hectares of land in Banke and Bardiya while generating 46 megawatts of electricity.
The project involves constructing a 12.2-kilometer tunnel to channel water from the Bheri River at Chiple in Bheriganga Municipality-11, Surkhet, to the Babai River on the Surkhet-Bardiya border. The estimated total cost is Rs 33.19 billion, of which Rs 16.96 billion has been spent so far.
Construction Progress
At the dam site, significant structures—including two out of six spillway sections, a sediment trap, a water channel, and a retaining wall—have been completed. Slope stabilization at the surge shaft construction site is finished, and excavation has begun using a crane, according to the project’s information officer Pawan Adhikari.
The steel lining for spillways one and two is complete, and most of the hydromechanical components are in the approval stage. "Three draft tubes have already arrived on-site," said Adhikari. "Transformer-3, one turbine runner, and other electromechanical equipment have also been delivered." Agreements have been reached for the electricity transmission line, environmental impact assessment (EIA), and related studies.
Land Acquisition and Local Challenges
Of the 33 hectares of land required, acquisition notices for 10.59 hectares were published last fiscal year. Compensation for 6.53 hectares has been paid, with the remaining in progress. However, repeated obstructions by locals have slowed the project.
Officials noted that the lack of clear policies on land ownership changes has added procedural complexities.
To resolve obstructions near the powerhouse construction site on the left bank of the Babai River, authorities have proceeded with construction under the existing civil contract in some areas and a new contract in others. Project officials have also instructed contractors to ensure sufficient skilled manpower, machinery, and materials while coordinating with the local administration.
Delays in the Second Phase
The project was originally planned to begin in Fiscal Year 2011/12, but construction only started in 2014/15. In the first phase, China Overseas Engineering Group (COVEC) was awarded the tunnel construction contract with a deadline of March 28, 2020. However, the company completed the 12.2-kilometer tunnel ahead of schedule, with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli marking the tunnel breakthrough on April 16, 2019.
Despite early success, the second phase—focused on dam construction, irrigation infrastructure, and hydropower generation—is progressing slowly. Project Chief Rana Bahadur Bam stated that Rs 1.77 billion was allocated for the current fiscal year, but only Rs 460 million has been spent so far. -- RSS
