Civil Insight: A Technical Magazine Volume 3 | Page 72

In Conversation with
Err. Pratik Man Singh Pradhan
Photograph by Prashant Gautam
Q) What are the technical or social
problems experienced while developing
hydropower plants in Nepal?
The current Vice President for Business
Development and Projects of Butwal Power
Company, Er. Pratik Man Singh Pradhan is an
expert for hydropower development. Er.
Pradhan graduated with a degree in Civil
Engineering from National Institute of
Technology, India. He received his Master’s
degree in Hydropower Planning and
Development from NTNU, Norway. He then
returned to Nepal and worked as the Chief
Engineer at Himalayan Hydro for 10 years, and
as the General Manager in Hydro Lab for 7
years. Er. Pradhan also has a second Master’s
degree in Environmental Hydraulics from the
University of Mississippi, USA. He has been
working in Butwal Power Company for the last
10 years.
Designing and contract management are the
main technical problems faced. Difficulties in
digging of tunnel, problem of soft soil, and
leakage of water are generally faced while
undertaking construction works, and to
tackle them, the proposed design must be
changed accordingly in the field. At times,
the proposed designed structure might not
work in the field.
The next is with the contract management.
We tend to forget that they are the ones who
give us services, so a good agreement is
necessary between the Company (client or
consultant) and the Contractor to ensure the
quality of work.
Community acceptance is important while
carrying out projects. Commonly, the people
expect the inhabitants of that region to be
employed in the ongoing project and not
doing so will create a problem. However, in
hydropower field, it is important to have
skilled manpower and the issues of labor
requirement must be addressed beforehand.
It was an erudite opportunity to have met and
discussed with Er. Pradhan. The Editorial Board
feels privileged to include his years-long
experiences in the periodical.
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