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Polihali–Katse water transfer tunnel hits major milestones

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Thoboloko Ntšonyane
Thoboloko Ntšonyane
Thoboloko Ntšonyane is a dedicated journalist who has contributed to various publications. He focuses on parliament, climate change, human rights, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), health, business and court reports. His work inspires change, triggers dialogue and also promote transparency in a society.

The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) has announced steady progress in the construction of the Polihali Transfer Tunnel, a colossal undertaking that will channel water by gravity from the Polihali Reservoir to the Katse Reservoir under Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP).

Valued at just over M9 billion, this critical infrastructure project is being executed by Kopano Ke Matla Joint Venture (KKM JV) as the contractor, with Metsi a Senqu-Khubelu Consultants (MSKC JV) serving as engineers and supervising consultants.

MSKC Project Manager Freddie Laas has confirmed that several key components are either complete or approaching completion, marking significant strides in one of southern Africa’s most ambitious water projects.

As of August 2025, he said the Polihali access adit, measuring 1,485 metres, is now 100 percent complete, marking a milestone in the project. The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), which is heading towards Katse, has been completed with its 360 metres long, achieving 47.13 percent completion.

Meanwhile, the Polihali Connecting Tunnel has reached 31.8 percent completion at 1,178.78 metres long. According to the Project Manager, the Lower Intake Tunnel Lining is also nearing completion, with 350 metres long completed and almost complete with a 96.7 percent completion status.

Laas mentioned that the Katse TBM Adit has progressed to 1,041 metres long, achieving 68 percent completion, while the Katse Access Adit is at 76.3 percent completion with 1,694 metres long completed. The Katse Gallery has reached 88 percent completion.

He highlighted that the main water tunnel construction is set to commence soon. This project will involve two TBMs, each driving 17.2 km and meeting halfway. The Katse TBM drive is expected to start at the end of 2025, while the Polihali TBM is scheduled to begin drilling in early 2026.

Taking stock of the achievements, Laas stated that the project has witnessed several significant achievements. Amongst them was the breakthrough of the lower intake tunnel which occurred on 5th August 2024 followed by the upper intake tunnel breakthrough taking place on the 19th August 2024.

The Polihali gate shaft pilot hole was completed by 26th August 2024 with raise boring following on 4th September 2024. Another milestone he said was also reached on 10th April 2025, when the Polihali gate shaft drill and blast breakthrough successfully connected the two intakes.

January 15, 2025 saw the launch of the Katse TBM, and was named ‘Khoiti-ea-‘Ngoaha-Kholo 2 (KENK2) a move that marked a major step forward, and the delivery of the Polihali TBM components was completed by 9th August 2025. The completion of the Polihali Lower Intake tunnel concrete lining and the Polihali Access Adit has paved the way for the assembly of the TBM chamber.

It is further reported that in addition to the tunnelling construction progress, the project has established essential site facilities including the construction of access roads, camps, and offices, as well as fully functioning wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and sewer treatment plants (STPs). The project has also seen the development of laboratory buildings, batch plants, segment manufacturing plants, quarry development, crusher plants, and explosives magazines.

Summary

  • The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) has announced steady progress in the construction of the Polihali Transfer Tunnel, a colossal undertaking that will channel water by gravity from the Polihali Reservoir to the Katse Reservoir under Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP).
  • January 15, 2025 saw the launch of the Katse TBM, and was named ‘Khoiti-ea-‘Ngoaha-Kholo 2 (KENK2) a move that marked a major step forward, and the delivery of the Polihali TBM components was completed by 9th August 2025.
  • It is further reported that in addition to the tunnelling construction progress, the project has established essential site facilities including the construction of access roads, camps, and offices, as well as fully functioning wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and sewer treatment plants (STPs).
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