New Delhi : The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by PM Narendra Modi has approved proposal an investment for generation component of Arun-3 Hydro Electric Project (HEP) in Nepal by SJVN Limited, a Central Public Sector Enterprises of Government of India, at an estimated cost of Rs 5,723.72 crore at May 2015 price level.
The completion period of the project shall be 60 months from the date of financial closure which is planned for September this year. The project is located on river Arun in Sankhuwasabha District of Eastern Nepal. The Run-of-River scheme envisages about 70 metre high concrete gravity dam and Head Race Tunnel (HRT) of 11.74 km with underground Power House containing four generating units of 225 MW each on left bank. SJVN limited bagged the project through International Competitive Bidding, according to a PIB release.
An MoU was signed between Government of Nepal and SJVN Limited for the project in March, 2008, for execution on Build Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis for a period of 30 years including five years of construction period. The Project Development Agreement (PDA) was signed on November 25, 2014, which provides 21.9% free power to Nepal for the entire concession period of 25 years.
An employment generation of around 3,000 persons is envisaged in construction of the project from both India and Nepal. The project will provide surplus power to India strengthening power availability in the country and will also strengthening economic linkages with Nepal. The power from the project shall be exported from Dhalkebar in Nepal to Muzaffarpur in India, according the PIB release.