Kathmandu, July 18 -- Nearly two decades after it was first proposed, Indian multinational conglomerate GMR has finally started the process for construction of the 900-megawatt Upper Karnali Hydropower Project.

The long-delayed project, first envisioned in 2006, took a big step forward on July 8 when GMR Upper Karnali Hydropower Ltd invited bids for construction works.

According to the tender notice, the project has been divided into three major packages. The first involves the construction of a 2,431-metre-long access road tunnel. The second concerns the design and construction of a 150-metre RCC/steel bridge over the Karnali river near the dam site. The third covers access roads at the headworks site, spanning roughly 7 kilometres.

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