Kathmandu: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has officially expressed its commitment to invest in the Dudh Koshi reservoir-type hydropower project with a capacity of 635 megawatts. To underscore this commitment, a high-level team, consisting of Executive Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Kul Man Ghising, ADB Director General, Ramesh Subramaniam, and ADB-Nepal Resident Mission Director, Arnaud Cauchois, conducted an on-site inspection of the project.

During their visit, the team examined the reservoir area and the power house area while also engaging with local-level representatives in Rabuwa Bazaar of Khotang, near the dam site.

Director General Subramaniam mentioned that this on-site visit by a high-level team was one of the final inspections, and he anticipated that financial arrangements under the leadership of ADB would soon be established. He emphasized the importance of expeditiously moving forward with the technical, environmental, and social aspects of the project to initiate construction as soon as possible.

The estimated total cost, including interest during the construction period, is $2.20 billion. Of this, $1 billion will be invested by various international financial organizations under the leadership of ADB, with ADB committing to a $550 million loan investment in the project.

ADB Nepal Resident Mission Director, Arnaud, mentioned their active efforts to expedite decision-making processes and their frequent engagement with the Government of Nepal. He also called on the local community to exercise patience, given that Dudh Koshi is a mega project and the largest dam project in the SAARC region to date.