Nepal Infrastructure 
KATHMANDU: Tunnel construction works of the Sunkoshi-Marin Diversion Multi-purpose Project- one of the national pride projects- commenced on Friday. The tunnel is planned to be constructed by using Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) for the 31.7 MW project, which is expected to irrigate five districts of Tarai.
US-based Robbins company made the TBM which is used for the second time in Nepal after the successful operation in Bheri-Babai Multi-purpose Project. Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal, along with high-level officials of the ministry, reached the project site in Sundhuli district to initiate the tunnel construction.
The 13.3 km long tunnel will be constructed between Kusumtar of Kamalamai Municipality in Sindhuli and Khurkot of the same district. Under the project, a diversion will be made to change the flow of Sunkoshi- which divides Ramechhap and Sindhuli districts- to bring the 67 Cumecs of water to the Marin River of Sindhuli district.
A total of 122,000 hectares of land will be irrigated in Mahottari, Sarlahi, Dhanusha, Rautahat, and Bara districts through the barrage of the Bagmati Irrigation Project. Then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli laid the foundation of the project about 20 months back.
According to the implementation plan, the construction of the tunnel will be completed within two years from the date of the commencement of tunnel construction. China Overseas Engineering Group Company Ltd is the contractor of the Rs 46-billion project. Construction of all structures of the project including the dam, tunnel, powerhouse, and transmission line will be completed in five years.
