KATHMANDU, April 15: Prime Minister KP Oli has said that there has been an ‘unnatural delay’ in the completion of the Upper Tamakoshi hydroelectric project.
Addressing a function organized by the Department of Survey in Kathmandu to launch ‘Mero Kitta’ digital platform on Thursday, Prime Minister Oli also warned that he won’t tolerate any further delay in the completion of the project. He said that the country is incurring a loss of Rs 130 million a day as a result of the inordinate delay seen in the completion of the national pride project.
Delay in Upper Tamakoshi causes huge financial loss
“I heard the same thing a year ago. A small pipe or a machine now needs to be installed. I heard the same thing six months ago. I heard again the same thing three months ago and I heard the same thing even a month ago,” he said, adding that the delay has cost the country a direct loss of Rs 50 million a day and indirect loss of Rs 130 million a day.
Prime Minister OIi also said that he will pay special interest to the timely completion of the project. “Now, the emphasis will be given to electricity over petrol and diesel,” Oli said, “In this context, the government will be looking at the Upper Tamakoshi project with special interest.”
The prime minister warned that those responsible for the inordinate delay in the completion of the Upper Tamakoshi Project will be penalized. “If we hadn’t been strict, the Melamchi water wouldn’t have come to the Kathmandu Valley. We finished the work by making follow-ups on the progress each day,” Oli said. “Even in Upper Tamakoshi, the party which is behind this delay should take the responsibility for the losses caused due to the inordinate delay. Any further delay is not acceptable.”
