KATHMANDU, April 2: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has expressed his commitment to speed up the Budhigandaki hydropower project, a national pride project.
He clarified that since the cabinet has been expanded and a minister has been appointed at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, which is coordinating the project, the Budhigandaki hydropower project will be taken forward after discussions with the concerned parties.
While discussing the issue at the prime minister's official residence in Baluwatar today with a delegation led by Deepak Timilsina, chairman of Gandaki Rural Municipality in Gorkha, Dahal insisted that the project will be taken forward by making clear arrangements in the upcoming budget.
Timilsina, the chairman of the rural municipality, said that the project was clearly written in the election manifesto of the party and the ruling parties have a clear view of the matter. In response, the prime minister assured them not to have any doubts.
Govt’ll build Budhigandaki on its own: Energy minister
Although the government has established a company for the construction of the project, the work has not been effective. The work of the project with a total capacity of 1,200 megawatts has not progressed for a long time.
"We are happy after the commitment of the prime minister. Even the suspicions of the local residents have been cleared,” Chairman Timilsina said. He said that the prime minister has committed to advance the project with a clear action plan.