Because of the protest, UTKPHL is facing loss of tens of thousands of rupees every day. The protest is almost certain to create cost and time overruns.
Informed sources say some officials of UTKPHL and Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) are fanning the protest to fulfill their vested interests. An NEA source says project officials, including project chief Bigyan Shrestha, have not been to the project site to hold talks with agitating groups. “Officials of local administration have requested Shrestha to hold be present for talks at the local level. But he has not attended such talks,” the official added.
The project has deputed Ganesh Neupane, a junior level staffer, at the project site. He does not have the authority to take important decisions.
Delay in Upper Tamakoshi causes huge financial loss
Agitating workers and locals say project chief Shrestha has gone out of contact.
Sonam Dorje Sherpa, coordinator of the agitating employees of Sino Hydropower Company, the contractor of the project, said the management is not willing to listen to their demand of addressing the difference in pay and perks between Nepali and Chinese workers.
Meanwhile, locals of Singati have allowed movement of vehicles carrying raw materials for the project after UTKHPL’s board meeting held on Saturday agreed to postpone share distribution to affected locals.
The application for shares was scheduled to begin from Sunday.
