JAJARKOT, Oct 4: Preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the much-hyped Nalsinghgad Hydropower Project has hit a snag due to frequent change of governments and charge of corruption against the project staffers.
The government's decision to convert the Project Development Committee into a company is also another reason for the delay.
The committee, which had been given 30 months to prepare the DPR has yet to complete its key tasks even after 17 months. A source at the project office informed that the engineering survey, environmental impact assessment, field survey and geological survey have not yet been completed.
DPR preparation of Nalsinghgad project hits a snag
Locals of Jajarkot have expressed their dissatisfaction toward the sluggish pace of the project in preparing the DPR. “The project hasn't stepped up its efforts even after one year," said Bin Bahadur Singh, a local, adding, "Even the state and it various bodies have maintained silence over the issue."
He doubts whether the people of his generation will be lucky enough to see the completion of the project.
The 410 MW project at Sakla and Khagenkot VDCs of Jajarkot falls in top priority of the government. Due to the negligence of the project officials and the concerned authorities, the works on DPR has failed to take pace since the past one year.
“Case filed by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, unstable government and various other factors have delayed the preparation of the DPR by six months,” said project chief Narendra Singh Bhandari.
According to Bhandari, distribution of compensation to the affected families will be done soon.
The government has allocated Rs 520 million for compensating the displaced families and Rs 270 million has been sanctioned for the completion of the DPR this year.
Meanwhile, the locals have expressed their disappointment over the delay in distribution of compensation and procrastination by the project officials. Despite the delay, the project is expected to be completed within the next six years.
