Organized by the Department of Civil Engineering, BE Civil eight semester students of Rock Engineering elective visited the Upper Trishuli 3B Hydropower Project on 3 and 4 Jestha 2080.
The Upper Trishuli 3B Hydropower Project is a 37 MW run-of-river hydropower project located in Rasuwa and Nuwakot. The hydropower is the cascade project of Upper Trishuli 3A of Nepal Electricity Authority. It is being developed by Trishuli Jal Vidhyut Company Limited (TJVCL), a joint venture of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and Nepal Doorsanchar Company Limited (NDCL).
Site geologist Pramod Adhikari and engineer Rabindra Bhatta briefed various aspects of the project and explained about the method and process of tunnelling and slope stability methods. The students visited the surge shaft site, penstock tunnel, headrace tunnel, the powerhouse site, tailrace, and the approach canal site which were under construction. They had a first-hand experience on method of tunnel excavation, support system, and other aspects of tunnelling which they had learnt theoretically in class. They also learnt about the challenges that the engineers faced in constructing the project, such as the difficult terrain and complex geology. The visit had given them a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities of hydropower development in Nepal.
The students also visited the powerhouse of Upper Trishuli 3A Hydropower Plant. The underground powerhouse which was in operation at the time of visit and it helped students to have an idea on what the powerhouse site would look like once completed.
The visit was led by faculty members Dr. Subeg Man Bijukchhen and Nirmal Kafle.
Photo 1. The team infront of Adit 2 tunnel of Upper Trishuli 3B
Photo 2. Students visiting the penstock tunnel