Parliamentarians question about construction process of Uttar Ganga hydel project

Kathmandu: Parliamentarians in today’s meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) complained that their request to take forward the construction process of the Uttar Ganga Hydropower Project was not heard despite requesting for several times.

They drew the attention of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation to take forward the 828-megawatt Project without hampering the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve. The process for the construction of the Project remains stagnant since an agreement could not be reached on the issue relating to the outlet of water from the Project. While some argue that the outlet of water should be towards Baglung district others opine that water should be allowed to flow as in the natural flow of the Uttar Ganga River.

Parliamentarian Kamal Rokka viewed that enabling environment should be created where the locals of Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve would be beneficiaries of the Reserve. Similarly, Dila Shangraula shared that she had raised concerns about the country and citizens in the parliament during her five-year tenure and she could learn a great deal during the period.

Narayan Marashini urged the government to upgrade the Siddhartha Highway and drew the attention of the government to problems facing vehicular operation on the Highway due to recurring incidents of landslides. Prem Suwal said that in the lack of quality and smooth internet services in Bhaktapur, patients being treated in Hospitals and students in schools were facing difficulties. Khem Prasad Lohani stated that compensation for the affected ones of the Budi Gandaki Hydropower Project, resettlement and rehabilitation for them were still pending. Likewise, Gajendra Mahat demanded relocation of the Rara National Park spread around Rara Lake in Mugu district, towards the east of the Lake.

According to him, the locals of Mugu were demanding the relocation of the Park and starting a human settlement in the existing Park area for running tourism enterprises and activities. He claimed that around 500,000 to 1 million jobs could be created by Rara Lake, which he said, could be the breadwinner of the entire Karnali Province.