Raghuganga locals submit 31-point demand to hydropower projects

Beni (Myagdi), March 10 – Residents of Raghuganga Rural Municipality in Myagdi district have submitted a 31-point demand to five hydropower projects under construction in the area, citing concerns over unfulfilled commitments and a lack of transparency.

The demands were drafted following discussions among local political parties, stakeholders, and people’s representatives after the projects reportedly failed to meet their social and environmental responsibilities.

According to Rural Municipality Chairman Bhava Bahadur Bhandari, an all-party meeting was held on Sunday to address the issue. The municipality has sent an official letter to the hydropower project chiefs, requesting their presence at a meeting scheduled for March 14. The meeting aims to finalize a written agreement on the demands.

The hydropower projects under construction include 40 MW Rahughat, 22.5 MW Thulokhola ‘A’, 35.5 MW Rahughat Mangale, 21.3 MW Thulokhola, and 48.5 MW Upper Rahughat.

Local representatives claim that the projects have unilaterally spent funds despite the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report stating that the projects would impact the physical, chemical, biological, economic, social, religious, and cultural environment of the rural municipality. The report mandates a specific budget to mitigate these effects.

Additionally, the hydropower companies had agreed last year to gravel and upgrade roads from the rural municipality to the project sites, but no progress has been made.

Residents of Raghuganga Rural Municipality have raised several demands to the hydropower projects operating in the area, emphasizing the need for transparency, compensation, and infrastructure development. One of their key concerns is the blacktopping of roads constructed for project operations, which has yet to be addressed. They have also called for public disclosure of the total project cost and corporate social responsibility (CSR) spending, highlighting the lack of transparency in financial matters.

Furthermore, the locals have demanded that the hydropower companies provide proof of tax payments for extracted construction materials and submit the Detailed Project Reports (DPR) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports, which they claim have not been shared with the municipality. They have also insisted that 10 percent of the total project cost be allocated as shares for the residents of affected areas, ensuring that the local community benefits from the projects.

Compensation for damages caused by project activities remains a major issue, with residents seeking immediate payment for houses affected by construction. Concerns over water shortages due to tunnel construction have also been raised, prompting demands for alternative drinking water and irrigation facilities. Moreover, locals have called for direct compensation to affected Wards for damage to forests and a separate compensation package for the municipality to address environmental pollution caused by the projects.

Residents have also expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of transparency in community investments related to education, health, and water supply.

Stakeholders and people’s representatives have urged the hydropower companies to ensure transparency and fulfill their obligations to the local community.

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