Compensation to those affected by the Lower Arun Hydel announced

Kimathanka (Sankhuwasabha), Sept 16: The Lower Arun Hydro Power Project (Hydel) is going to distribute compensation totaling over Rs 1.4 billion to those affected by the Lower Arun Hydel Project.     

The 679-mega watt project to be constructed at Khandbari Municipality in Sankhuwasabha district will provide compensation to 268 households, said Arun Dhiman, CEO of Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN), an Indian hydro power generating company tasked to construct the mega hydropower.     

The affected ones are from Chichila rural municipality, Khandbari rural municipality in the Sankhuwasabha district besides those in wards no 1 of Salpasilicho rural municipality and Shadananda Municipality in Bhojpur district, the company shared.     

The Investment Board of Nepal has approved an investment of Rs 92.68 billion for the project for which nearly 65 hectares of land belonging to the locals is to be acquired.     

Additionally, 70 hectares of forest land and six hectares of public land will be acquired for this project which is aimed to be completed within 5 years, according to the SJVN.     

Under the terms of the Project Development Agreement (PDA), Nepal will receive 21.9 per cent (197.1 megawatt) project's electricity with the remainder slated for export to India.     

The project to be built under the BOOT model (Build, Own, Operate and Transfer) will be transferred to the government of Nepal after the operation of 25 years.(RSS)