Speaker Aryal Urges Accelerated Progress on Budhigandaki Hydropower Project

Kathmandu. A discussion regarding the Budhigandaki Hydropower Project was held on Friday, involving representatives from relevant ministries and agencies, with the participation of Speaker Dol Prasad (DP) Aryal.

The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle, Energy Minister Birajbhakta Shrestha, Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Sunil Lamsal, Home Minister Sudhan Gurung, and lawmakers Kabindra Burlakoti, Bodhanarayan Shrestha, Ashika Tamang, Shobha Khanal, and Anjila Gurung.

Additionally, National Planning Commission Vice-Chairman Dr. Gunakar Bhatta, Electricity Regulatory Commission Chairman Dr. Ram Prasad Dhital, and Nepal Electricity Authority Executive Director Hitendra Dev Shakya were also present.

During the meeting, Arun Rajauria, Chief Executive Officer of Budhigandaki Hydropower Company Limited, delivered a presentation on the current status and requirements of the project.

Following the discussion, Speaker Aryal stated that necessary laws would be drafted or amended to expedite the project's construction process, emphasizing the need to move implementation onto a fast track. "There is no alternative to completing the project; either the government must clarify the reasons for the project's stagnation, or there must be no further delay in its implementation from this point forward," he said.