The selection of a contractor for carrying out the civil works of the Tamakoshi V hydropower project has been delayed after a complaint from one of the firms not shortlisted for financial evaluation of the project.

Two Chinese companies–Sinohydro Corporation and China Gezhouba Group Corporation–were shortlisted for financial evaluation for the construction of the civil work component of the Tamakoshi V hydro project last week.

The 99.4 MW project is a run-of-river hydroelectric plant designed to operate as a lower cascade structure. It does not need its own dam, because it takes its water directly from the tailrace tunnel of the 456MW Upper Tamakoshi hydroelectric project.

Binod Bhandari, chief of the project, did not disclose which firm filed the complaint.

He, however, said the final selection would be made within a week after sorting out all issues.

“The firm has asked on what grounds it was considered ineligible for selection in the technical proposal,” said Bhandari. The project looks at two proposals—technical and financial. The bidders eligible for technical evaluation go to the final round of financial evaluation. One bidder will be picked for the project.

“It is a part of the process. The project, as mandated, has allocated certain time to file complaints and grievances regarding the selection.”

“A committee formed to study the issue has submitted a report,” Bhandari added. “The final selection will be made within a week.”

Four companies presented technical proposals for the project.