Speaker Aryal, ministers discuss Budhi Gandaki Hydropower Project

Kathmandu, April 17: Representatives from relevant ministries and agencies held a discussion on Friday regarding the Budhi Gandaki Hydropower Project. The discussion here was held in presence of Speaker Dol Prasad (DP) Aryal.     

Those attending the meeting included Minister for Finance, Dr Swarnim Wagle; Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Hydropower Biraj Bhakta Shrestha; Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Sunil Lamsal; Home Minister Sudhan Gurung; and lawmakers Kabindra Burlakoti, Bodhnarayan Shrestha, Ashika Tamang, Shobha Khanal and Anjila Gurung.     

Also present were Vice Chair of the National Planning Commission, Gunakar Bhatta; Chair of the Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr Ram Prasad Dhital; and Executive Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority, Hitendra Dev Shakya.     

Budhigandaki Hydropower Company Limited Chief Executive Officer Arun Rajauriya gave his a presentation highlighting current status of the project of recommended 1200 megawatts and its requirements.     

Following the discussions, the Speaker echoed the need to enact necessary laws to accelerate construction works. He proposed implementation of the project through a fast-track approach, adding that "There is no alternative to completing it without further delay. Otherwise, the government should provide clear reasons for any failure to implement it. (RSS)