By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Oct. 20
Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Barshaman Pun on Sunday said that no one should have suspicion over the construction of Budigandaki Hydropower Project citing that it was a priority project of the government.
During the meeting with the stakeholders and political leaders representing Gorkha and Dhading districts at the Ministry, Minister Pun said that the ministry was preparing to carry out the project by determining compensation to the remaining land as it was a national pride project of the country.
He urged the concerned stakeholders to support the government to determine and distribute the compensation to the victims and the landowners.
“The Prime Minister, the government and ministry are committed to constructng the project. This is a highly prioritised project of the government. We are discussing different modalities for its consecution. No need to suspect on its construction,” Pun added.
The government distributed compensation for more than 44,000 ropanis of land and was yet to determine the compensation for about 1,800 ropanis of land, which needed to bed acquired for the project.
He said that the ministry was discussing with the stakeholders to determine the compensation for the remaining land to be acquired.
“We are yet to determine compensation for the land of Aarughat, Aarkhet of Gorkha and Aarughta and Khahare of Dhading.
Former Minister Gangalal Tuladhar urged Minister Pun to start the construction work of the project at the earliest.
He said that the government should give priority to the Budhigandaki reservoir hydropower project as it was a game changer project of the country.
Leader of the Nepali Congress and former lawmaker Chinkaji Shrestha said that they were ready to support the government to carry out the project but the government should keep it in its priority.
Similarly, lawmaker and leader of Nepal Communist Party Hari Adhikari requested Minister Pun to determine the compensation to the remaining land that has to acquire and carry out the project at the earliest.