Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has urged to expedite the Budhi Gandaki Hydropower Project, a national pride project.

PM Prachanda expressed his views at a meeting on the project held today at the office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar.

PM Prachanda said, “Budhi Gandaki Hydropower Project is not a simple project, it is a multidimensional national pride project. We have signed an agreement to export 10,000 megawatts of electricity in 10 years. So, this project needs to move forward without delay.”

PM Prachanda directed ministries, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), and Budhi Gandaki Hydropower Limited to not doubt the construction of the project as the compensation has been already made for acquiring the land, according to the PM's secretariat.

The PM said, “Around RS. 43 billion compensation has been dispersed. Additional land has been withheld for acquisition. It has been inaugurated by establishing a field office. So, we should not doubt about the project moving ahead, rather we need it to move forward. So, please accelerate the process.”

“This project is multi-fructifying. This will contribute to the economy of the country by a stride. Now, only this will generate electricity, and along with this, this will play an important role in balancing the pressure of energy seen during the rainy season as this is a reservoir type hydropower project. We need to understand this seriously that this project will enhance the inflow of tourists, fishery, infrastructure development, saving of construction equipment, and employment opportunities. Make the use of the money deposited in the fund with the intra-organizational coordination. The cabinet meeting has already decided to ensure resources for the project through infrastructure tax. So, do not delay the project.”

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Shakti Bahadur Basnet said that the project is significant in all aspects, and is important even considering it from the aspect of implementation of the energy agreement. Therefore, there is a need to generate many sources of investment and expedite the implementation of the project.