KALIKOT, March 14: Hundreds of households in Kalikot have been deprived of electricity as about four dozen micro-hydropower projects in the district have failed to come into operation or generate desired output despite huge investments.
Although the district has a large number of small hydropower projects, many of them have stopped functioning because of various problems.
Large amount of money has been allocated to such projects from the budget set aseide for developmental works.
However, the millions of rupees invested in such projects by the government as well as private firms have failed to yield the desired outcome. This has upset thousands of locals who still do not have access to
electricity.
"The department under the District Development Committee (DDC) responsible for managing such projects has shown carelessness. Lack of proper management has caused many micro-hydropower projects to remain standstill," said Gyan Bahadur Shahi, a local of Gela Village Development Committee (VDC). "Until the DDC and the VDCs act responsibly, we will not see any noticeable changes," he added.
Like Shahi, many other locals stated that sheer negligence from the governing bodies was leading to wastage of time and money.
The delays in completing the hydro projects have been attributed to lack of proper management, shortage of necessary equipments at local markets, transportation problems and consumers' silence despite the delays, among others.
Locals also blamed funds misuse as another major reason for the delays.
Micro-hydro projects in Phoimahadev (57 KW), in Ghattegad (25 KW), and the ones in Bihani, Bhartagad, Bhatela, Khin, Rachuli, Lafa, among many other places in the district, have not made progress.
"Electricity is one of the basic necessities, therefore, the DDC should take such projects seriously," urged Kamal Raj Shahi, a local civil leader.