Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal has said that the government will pay special attention to the issue of multi-faceted benefits, including in the lower coastal area while developing reservoir project.

Stating that the reservoir project will be carried forward in a strategic manner, she also asked not to have any doubts about water rights.

Minister Bhusal said in the discussion organised by the Hydropower Development Organisation Thursday about the strategic dimension of hydropower development, "No one has overlooked the issue of rights of lower coastal regions; we are aware of every right relating to use of water resources. Let no one suspect it.”

Emphasising that all political parties and experts in the water resources sector should work together for the good of the country, she said, "Let's work for the good of the country and the people, and give up the culture of being a nationalist by pointing fingers at others."

Minister Bhusal clarified that the agreement was only for study with the deadline for the completion of the main works within a certain time frame for the West Seti and SR-6 projects advanced by the Investment Board Nepal.

She said that energy is the reliable sector that can reduce the country's trade deficit and make the country prosperous by optimum utilisation of water resources.

Minister Bhusal informed that some policies have been changed after analysing the economic and technical issues in order to maximise the utilisation of natural resources.

"The license for the project based on run-of-river model for electricity development is almost over, and a power purchase agreement of 6,400 megawatts has been signed. With the belief that every drop of water is a unit of electricity, the means and resources of the country should be used to the maximum.

So last time we took a Q-free policy to open up the limits maintained in the design discharge,’ she said.

Stating that electricity is wasted in the rainy season and the need to import it from India in winter, Minister Bhusal said she has given special priority to reservoir projects for energy security and qualitative supply.

She said, "We don't have any other reservoir projects except Kulekhani. After continuous efforts, the Dudhkoshi project is in the final stages of construction. The process of constructing the 1,200 MW Budhigandaki hydropower, which is located in the load centre, has progressed.”

On the occasion, CPN-UML leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Bhim Rawal emphasised that the resources of the country should be used for the benefit of the state and urged the government to pay special attention when there is a treaty agreement.

He suggested moving forward by making proper use of the rights of the agreement made in the past.

Likewise, former minister Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani said that India needs water for irrigation more than electricity, and emphasised that Nepal should take advantage of this situation by studying deeply.

He said that Nepal should also pay attention to the lower coastal benefits.

Surya Nath Upadhyay, a water resource expert, and engineer Prakash Gaudel presented working papers on the optimum development of water resources and the benefits to be made from it.

They suggested that the government should pay special attention while using the resources of the state.