KATHMANDU, March 20: Chief Whip of the CPN (Maoist Center), Hitraj Pandey, has urged the government to commence the construction of the Budhigandaki Hydropower Project from the upcoming fiscal year.
Speaking at the House of Representatives on Thursday, Pandey drew attention to the stalled progress of the project, despite its designation as a national pride project. He emphasized that critical tasks necessary for its development have not advanced as expected.
PM inaugurates Budhigandaki Project's field office in Gorkha
Pandey highlighted the uncertainty faced by residents of Gorkha and Dhading, the districts affected by the project, due to the prolonged delay in its implementation. “The 1,200 MW Budhigandaki Hydropower Project has yet to begin construction. While it has been recognized as a national pride project, work on it has not progressed with the required priority,” he said, “The affected people of Gorkha and Dhading remain in limbo, fostering an environment of mistrust and uncertainty among them.”
Stressing the project’s significance for ensuring stable electricity supply, Pandey called on the government, through the Speaker of the House, to take necessary measures to initiate construction in fiscal year 2082/83 (2025/26). He reiterated that once completed, the reservoir-based hydropower project would play a decisive role in ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply across the country.
