India, which has not given a ‘no objection’ letter for explosives required for development projects for almost 8 months, has started facilitation from last week.

According to IPPAN, the independent energy producers’ organization has started hearing the request for the import of explosives immediately. Anand Chaudhary, vice president of IPPAN, said that India has started providing no objection letters.

“The applications received from last time have been accepted easily,” said Vice President Chaudhary, “It is not as uncomfortable as before.” India is ready to provide explosives for all purposes.

Since Dec 2022, India has stopped the supply of explosives to Chinese investment and contract projects in Nepal. As the restrictions on explosives entering Nepal through India’s land routes increased, almost a dozen large industries and development projects could not proceed.

After the Indian Embassy blocked the ‘No Objection’, two cement industries, six hydropower projects and one road project demanded the government to ease the availability of explosives, saying that it was difficult for the government to work. Sanjen hydropower project with 78 megawatt capacity, Tanahun hydropower project with 140 megawatt capacity, Upper Trishuli with 121 megawatt capacity and Langtang-Bhotekosi hydropower project with 120 megawatt capacity have been affected by the Ministry of Home and Defense.

Due to shortage of explosives, big cement industries including Hwasin Narayani Cement in Dhading and Hongsi Shivam Cement in Nawalparasi started facing problems. These large Chinese-invested cement industries have not been able to obtain the explosives required for mining.The Chinese contractor who got the contract for the various tunnels of the Terai-Madhesh Expressway informed the government about the shortage of explosives.

Alleging misuse of explosives imported from Nepal, when India stopped the explosives, projects of national pride, from Kathmandu-Tarai/Madhesh Expressway to cement industry and hydropower projects were affected. A ‘No Objection’ letter must be obtained from the Indian Embassy in Nepal to bring explosives purchased from India or from a third country to Nepal through India’s land route. However, India objected saying that the explosives brought into Nepal were misused.