KATHMANDU, Sept 17: The government of Nepal (GoN) is in the process of acquiring over several thousand acres for its hydro-power project. The district administration office of Jajarkot had taken out a press release and was in the process of negotiating to 3861 landowners, sending out information and initiating communication with them. It will have a direct impact on over 4000 families that are living in the area where the Nalgadh Hydro Power plant will be set up.

The families that will have to give up their land in order for this project to commence will be receiving a compensation package as listed in the constitution.

According to the press release by the local administration of Jajarkot, names of landowners, and the details regarding the possession of land were openly listed. It will be a transparent process and the local administration is working toward starting the project soon.

The entire process will go in accordance with the law, and article 7(2) of their local body law states that the government can acquire land for a business, development project or setting up a factory for gainful employment, while at the same time providing necessary compensation for the same.

(Picture Source: Nalgadh Hydropower Project)

Nalgadh Hydropower Project Reservoir will acquire land that is less than 1590 meters which will submerge once the project is underway. From the river Bheri and its tributary Nalsayagu, water collected in the reservoir will be utilized to generate hydropower.

According to the project plan, the reservoir will be 571 km, while the dam will be 200 meters in height. There will be a 112 km transmission line, and the target is generating 417 megawatts. The electricity generated will be then added to the national grid.

The project was prepared in 2012 and had received over 731 million US dollars, but after 7 years the amount is likely going to double since the project has been extended.

KATHMANDU, August 2: Energy Minister Mahendra Bahadur Shahi has said that the government would take ‘special’ initiatives to provide electricity to the rural areas of the country that still lack the basic facility.

Claiming that approximately 35 percent of various parts of the country is still out of reach of electricity, he said, the government has prioritized as such areas to supply with electricity.

The minister shared this information during a meeting with a delegation of political party from Salyan, who met with him at Singha Durbar on Tuesday and submitted a memorandum.

Responding to the delegation, Minister Shahi said “I do not have any other agenda except that for people’s service. I will be committed to expanding electricity and I need support from all to this effect.”

The delegates also demanded that efforts be taken at the earliest to set up the office for Sharadha Babai Electricity Resovior Project in Salyan, said a delegate member former lawmaker Uma Kanta Sharma.

The attention of Minister Shahi was also drawn to connecting transmission line from local level to the district headquarters, he said. RSS