Karnali Chisapani Multipurpose Projectकर्णाली चिसापानी बहुउद्देश्यीय आयोजना
A long-proposed 10,800 MW reservoir mega-project with a ~270 m dam at the Chisapani Gorge on the Karnali River, storing ~12.5 billion m³ for power, irrigation and flood control. Feasibility studies date from the 1960s to 1989 (capacity fixed at 10,800 MW). The government has directed NEA to prepare a fresh DPR and is exploring multi-country financing, but it remains decades from construction.
Installed capacity
10,800 MW
Reservoir
River / basin
Karnali
Karnali basin
Location
Surkhet / Bardiya / Kailali
Karnali / Lumbini / Sudurpashchim
Expected online
TBD
Proposed / under development
Milestones & projected timeline
Key dates so far, with planned milestones marked. Future dates are targets from the developer or government and frequently shift.
- 1962–1989
Successive feasibility studies (capacity set at 10,800 MW)
- 2023–25
Cabinet directs NEA to prepare DPR; financing explored
- TBDPlanned
Construction far in the future if financed
Location
Approximate dam-area location on OpenStreetMap — precise to the district and river reach, not the exact structure.
Karnali Chisapani Multipurpose Project: key facts
Quick answers on capacity, river, developer, status and commissioning, drawn from the sourced data above.
What is the capacity of the Karnali Chisapani Multipurpose Project?+
The Karnali Chisapani Multipurpose Project has an installed capacity of 10,800 MW. It is a reservoir hydropower scheme.
Which river is the Karnali Chisapani Multipurpose Project on?+
The project is on the Karnali River, part of Nepal's Karnali basin, in Surkhet / Bardiya / Kailali district, Karnali / Lumbini / Sudurpashchim Province.
Who is developing the Karnali Chisapani Multipurpose Project?+
The Karnali Chisapani Multipurpose Project is developed by Government of Nepal / NEA (DPR stage) (government (nea)), with Proposed multi-country financing (India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka).
What is the status of the Karnali Chisapani Multipurpose Project?+
As of mid-2026 the project is proposed / under development. Long-proposed mega-project; ~270 m dam; NEA directed to prepare a fresh DPR; decades from construction
Sources & data note
Figures for Karnali Chisapani 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.