Former PM Dr. Baburam Bhattarai Welcomes Government Initiative on Budhigandaki Hydropower Project

Kathmandu. Former Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai has welcomed the current government's initiative, which includes the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), to resume the national pride project, the Budhigandaki Reservoir Hydropower Project.

Expressing happiness that the project is gaining momentum after a long period of uncertainty and doubt, Dr. Bhattarai has drawn the government's attention to view this not just as a 1200 MW power generation facility, but as a 'game changer' for the country's multidimensional economic transformation.

Sharing his views via social media, Dr. Bhattarai stated, 'Located in the heart of the country and between major cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Bharatpur, this project should not be considered merely a power project. It will help leapfrog towards an industrial economy.' He emphasized that it should be given high priority, similar to the Tennessee Valley Authority in the US and the Three Gorges Dam in China.

Dr. Bhattarai has suggested that this project should not be advanced through a regular 'company' under the Nepal Electricity Authority, but through an empowered 'Budhigandaki Watershed Development Authority' formed by a separate act. 'Otherwise, it could once again become a case of much ado about nothing,' he remarked.

He claims that the multipurpose use of the lake, which will be 15 times larger than Phewa Lake, along with the development of new urban settlements, ring roads, tourism, and industries, will make an unparalleled contribution to Nepal's socio-economic transformation.
Dr. Bhattarai noted that with the Prime Minister himself being an engineer, and representatives from the same region holding the responsibilities of Finance Minister and Speaker, this is a golden opportunity to correct past mistakes and make the project a success.