Hope On Hydropower

In a good sign for the economy, overall job market and future of the country as a whole, development of hydropower in the country has been making impressive headway in recent years. So much so that it has caught the attention of several high-profile businessmen and investors alike. Billionaire Binod Chaudhary is one among them. Chaudhary, who is also a lawmaker, recently inaugurated 4.72-MW Menchhiyam Hydel project in Sankhuwasabha district. The district is said to have a capacity to produce over 5,000-MW electricity. With several hydel project totaling 1,167-MW under-constructions and some already in the pipeline, Sankhuwasabha is on track to become a hydropower hub. According to the Department of Electricity Development (DED), 15 promoter companies are presently constructing different hydel projects, five companies have sought permission to develop 1,258.1-MW capacity projects, not to mention the under-construction 900-MW-Arun III and Arun-IV.