Government Serious About Budhi Gandaki Hydropower Project Construction, Minister Shrestha States

Kathmandu. Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Biraj Shrestha, has stated that the government is serious about the construction of the 1200 MW Budhi Gandaki Reservoir Hydropower Project, which has been designated as a national pride project. Minister Shrestha said this while speaking at a meeting of the Development, Economic Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the National Assembly on Friday. He informed that intensive discussions are underway regarding whether to proceed with the Budhi Gandaki project through a company model or implement it through the authority. Minister Shrestha clarified that upon completion, this project will be able to fully balance the energy supply to major urban centers like Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan. He stated that the government has given high priority to this project as a strategic and attractive project. He claimed that although the physical progress of the project has not been as expected so far, the financial progress has been satisfactory. He informed that the work of compensation distribution for the project has reached the final stage, and preparations related to transmission lines and access roads have also been initiated. Speaking about the importance and progress of the project, he said, 'If Budhi Gandaki is built, it will balance the energy needed by our three main cities. The project will be able to meet the energy supply of Pokhara, Chitwan, and Kathmandu. This project currently has no transmission and road burdens; we have contracted them. One unclear matter is which modality to adopt? Whether the company modality can handle it or whether to go by creating an authority is being discussed. Although there has been no physical progress in the project, financial progress has been good. Compensation matters are nearing completion. Therefore, because it is a strategic and attractive plan, we are serious about it.' It is reported that a total of 8,117 households in Gorkha and Dhading will be physically and economically affected by this much-anticipated project. A plan is in place to construct a 263-meter high curved arch dam to block the Budhi Gandaki River flowing along the border of Gorkha and Dhading. (News Agency Nepal)<

Kathmandu. Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Biraj Shrestha, has stated that the government is serious about the construction of the 1200 MW Budhi Gandaki Reservoir Hydropower Project, which has been designated as a national pride project. Minister Shrestha said this while speaking at a meeting of the Development, Economic Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the National Assembly on Friday. He informed that intensive discussions are underway regarding whether to proceed with the Budhi Gandaki project through a company model or implement it through the authority. Minister Shrestha clarified that upon completion, this project will be able to fully balance the energy supply to major urban centers like Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan. He stated that the government has given high priority to this project as a strategic and attractive project. He claimed that although the physical progress of the project has not been as expected so far, the financial progress has been satisfactory. He informed that the work of compensation distribution for the project has reached the final stage, and preparations related to transmission lines and access roads have also been initiated. Speaking about the importance and progress of the project, he said, 'If Budhi Gandaki is built, it will balance the energy needed by our three main cities. The project will be able to meet the energy supply of Pokhara, Chitwan, and Kathmandu. This project currently has no transmission and road burdens; we have contracted them. One unclear matter is which modality to adopt? Whether the company modality can handle it or whether to go by creating an authority is being discussed. Although there has been no physical progress in the project, financial progress has been good. Compensation matters are nearing completion. Therefore, because it is a strategic and attractive plan, we are serious about it.' It is reported that a total of 8,117 households in Gorkha and Dhading will be physically and economically affected by this much-anticipated project. A plan is in place to construct a 263-meter high curved arch dam to block the Budhi Gandaki River flowing along the border of Gorkha and Dhading. (News Agency Nepal)<