Galkot: Tarakhola Rural Municipality in Baglung has rapidly developed into a hydropower hub, with multiple projects already completed and several others under construction or in the pipeline.
Two hydropower projects have been completed in the steep-stream region of Tarakhola, while two are under construction and two more are in the planning phase.
Sayapatri Hydropower Company has successfully completed the 2.5 MW Daram Khola “A” Hydropower Project in wards 2 and 3, already connecting it to the national grid. This is the first major project built by a private company in the area, where previously only small community-based micro-hydro projects had been in operation.
Following the Sayapatri project, Tarakhola has seen momentum for five additional hydropower projects. Among them, the 380 kW Tarakhola Hydropower Project, completed five years ago, is already linked to the national transmission line. Meanwhile, construction of the Middle Tarakhola and Middle Daram “A” projects is moving ahead rapidly, with 60 percent of the Middle Tarakhola project completed.
Similarly, the 4 MW Daram “A” Hydropower Project has completed about 40 percent of its infrastructure work, according to project operator Milan Khatri.
In addition, the 3.5 MW Lower Tarakhola Project and the 4.5 MW Middle Daram “B” Project are currently in the preparatory stages.
Local leaders say the projects carry significant economic promise. Tarakhola Rural Municipality Chair Dhan Bahadur BK highlighted that locals themselves have invested millions in these projects.
“Once Middle Tarakhola, Middle Daram ‘A,’ and the other three projects are completed, Tarakhola’s economic development will take a major leap,” he said.
Municipality Chair Prakash Gharti echoed similar sentiments, noting that the wave of hydropower construction has raised optimism in the community.
“It is a matter of pride that so many projects are being developed here. This will uplift our rural municipality’s economy and positively impact the lives of our citizens,” he said.
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