September 4: The Chukeni hydropower project, located in Gadigaon of Patarasi rural municipality-1 in Jumla, has entered its final construction phase. The project, considered a source of pride for the district, is on track to be completed by December, according to Janamaya Rokaya, the vice-chair of the rural municipality.

To assess the project's progress, a team, including Devendra Bahadur Shahi, a member of the Karnali Provincial Assembly, visited the project site last Friday.

Engineer Dinesh Thapalia from the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre reported that 85 percent of the power generation and line extension work for the Chukeni project has already been accomplished.

However, it will still take another year for the project's generated power to reach households.

The APEC has invested Rs 310 million while the rural municipality and local people have invested Rs 130 million for the project.  President of Chukenikhola Cooperatives Society, Gor Bahadur Budha, said that the people have invested Rs. 60 million through shares in the project

According to Patarasi Rural Municipality, the Chukeni hydropower project will have a capacity of 998 kilowatts.