AmarnepalBudget Analysis
ProposedProposed / under development

Saptakoshi High Dam Multipurpose Projectसप्तकोशी उच्च बाँध बहुउद्देश्यीय आयोजना

A proposed multipurpose high dam on the Saptakoshi (Koshi) River near Barahakshetra, Sunsari, jointly studied by India and Nepal, aimed primarily at flood control plus ~2,300 MW of power. The dam height was reduced to ~304.8 m (from 337 m) in 2023, and the sides agreed to prepare a DPR within 30 months — but strong local opposition over inundation persists and construction has not started.

Installed capacity

2,300 MW

Reservoir

River / basin

Saptakoshi (Koshi)

Koshi basin

Location

Sunsari

Koshi

Expected online

TBD

Proposed / under development

Project timeline

Milestones & projected timeline

Key dates so far, with planned milestones marked. Future dates are targets from the developer or government and frequently shift.

  1. 2004

    Joint Project Office established in Nepal

  2. 2023

    Nepal-India agree to reduce dam height (~2,300 MW)

  3. 2025

    DPR preparation under discussion

  4. TBDPlanned

    Construction subject to DPR and consent

On the map

Location

Approximate dam-area location on OpenStreetMap — precise to the district and river reach, not the exact structure.

Loading map…
Filter by stageTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors

Sources & data note

Figures for Saptakoshi High Dam Multipurpose Project are compiled from the sources below and cross-checked where possible. Status and projected dates reflect research as of mid-2026 and may change as the project progresses. The map location is an approximate dam-area estimate. Commentary is Amarnepal's own.