KATHMANDU, Dec 6: Lawmakers from Dhading and Gorkha have urged the agitated Budhigandaki-affected locals to show patience and let the authorities address their demands in a peaceful environment.

Expressing commitment to complete the 1200-megawatt Budhigandaki Hydropower Project in time, 10 lawmakers issued a joint statement on Tuesday, urging locals not to obstruct the project works. 

Lawmakers from Dhading Rajendra Prasad Pandey, Gangalal Tuladhar, Guru Prasad Burlakoti, Dhang Bahadur Ghale, Dilman Pakhrin and Parashuram Tamang, and lawmakers from Gorkha Chinkaji Shrestha, Krishna Dhital, Kamala Pant and Chham Bahaudrur Gurung issued the joint statement to normalize the situation in the project affected area.

The lawmakers have also said that their attention has been drawn toward the protest and picketing of the project's office at Siurenitar of Gorkha by the agitated locals. They also said that the energy ministry has already taken different policy decisions on issues related to land prices.

Dissatisfied with the price set by the project, locals have been staging protest in the project area. They had vandalized the project's office last week. They have called for revision in price of land to be acquired by the project. 

Meanwhile, Budhigandaki Stakeholders Committee, a pressure group by the project affected locals, has maintained that it did not vandalize the project office.“"We will continue our protest until our demands are addressed”" a statement issued by the committee's coordinator Hareram Dhakal said.

 
• budhigandaki hydropower project