KATHMANDU: Construction of the 25-megawatt Upper Dordi ‘A’ Hydropower Project in Dordi Rural Municipality – 6 of Dhodeni in Lamjung has been halted after 27 workers involved with the project tested positive for the coronavirus infection.
Rajendra Basti, an official of the project, said that the construction has been stopped for now as 27 employees have been infected with COVID-19. Most of the construction work of the project, promoted by Liberty Energy
Hydropower, has been completed. According to Basti, only works related to the power house are now remaining.
Since around 98 percent of the project construction has been completed so far, the project was preparing to supply electricity from mid-November. However, it is unlikely now that the project will be able to supply the electricity in the stipulated time due to the latest incident.
Construction activities of the project were started in 2014. Despite the target to complete the construction in 2017, it could not be completed on time due to the earthquake and blockade on the southern border in 2015 and the floods last year. As per the agreement, the construction of the project should have been completed by last April.