Hydropower project resumes operation after deal to provide compensation

Khotang, March 19: The Upper Rawakhola Hydropower Project, the operation of which was blocked by the locals of Kepilasgadhi rural municipality demanding compensation, has been restored.   

 
The project's operation was restored after an all-party meeting held at the initiative of Kepilasgadhi rural municipality Chairperson Samir Rai on Tuesday agreed to provide compensation to the land owners within 35 days.    

The locals led by the Private and Public Property Conservation Struggle Committee, closed the hydropower project had obstructed the operation of the hydropower project demanding compensation.    

They had forcibly diverted the water from the project dam back to the river, halting the power production.    

Earlier, they had announced a phase-wise protest against the Rawa Energy Development Company Limited, the Halesi Energy Company Limited and the Lower Mid Rawakhola Hydroelectric Project that are based in the Rawakhola river that lies along the border of Sungdel and Dipsung.    

The locals have launched a phase-wise protest against this 'injustice', said Maitiraj Rai who is the coordinator of the Private and Public Property Conservation Struggle Committee, Kepilasgadhi. The hydropower companies have deceived the locals by not compensating for their property, he charged.    

During the expansion of the transmission lines, some 5,200 meters of land was used by the hydropower developers. Likewise, 38 plots of land were acquired for the pipeline expansions, it is said. (RSS)