Energy Minister Dipak Khadka highlighted that delays in completing projects on time could lead to increased costs and setbacks, stressing the need to expedite the progress of large-scale projects.

- Energy Minister Dipak Khadka emphasized the need to accelerate large-scale projects.

- Minister Khadka urged government officials to work responsibly and stated that legal complexities must be resolved.

- A commitment has been expressed to advance more effective initiatives for reforms in the energy, water resources, and irrigation sectors.

Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Dipak Khadka, has urged the adoption of a positive approach in addressing the ministry’s upcoming plans and resolving challenges. He made these remarks on Friday during the “Fourth Quarterly and Annual Progress Review of Fiscal Year 2024/25 and the Ministry-Level Development Problem-Solving Committee Meeting” held at the ministry.

“This ministry is directly linked to production and direct employment. It is a ministry that yields returns once investments are made, bringing significant benefits to the country through production, employment, and profit,” said Energy Minister Khadka.

He pointed out that failing to complete projects on time could lead to increased costs and delays, emphasizing the need to move large-scale projects forward with urgency.

“Amid the challenge of building good reservoir-based projects, the government is considering constructing three to four large projects. This process can be advanced with investment and management from the private sector,” said Minister Khadka.

Energy Minister Khadka, calling on government officials to work responsibly for procedural improvements, said, “These days, some individuals tend to interfere in others’ work without fulfilling their own responsibilities, which causes delays. There is a need to resolve legal complexities; otherwise, work will be obstructed.”

However, Minister Khadka presented a positive approach toward working responsibly by learning from past shortcomings. “Efforts will be made to initiate large projects, expand irrigation services as a company, and achieve production and self-reliance,” he said. Energy Minister Khadka also expressed a commitment to advance more effective initiatives for reforms in the energy, water resources, and irrigation sectors.

Member of the National Planning Commission, R.P. Bichchha, pointed out past shortcomings and emphasized the need to focus on the development of the energy and irrigation sectors in the coming days. He noted that annual policies and programs related to the 16th Five-Year Plan should be formulated for the development of these sectors.

Secretary of Water Resources and Irrigation, Sarita Dawadi, stated that although the project received good support from the Ministry of Finance and the National Planning Commission, issues related to forests and land acquisition have caused delays in project construction. Dinanath Mishra, Secretary of the Secretariat of the Water and Energy Commission, explained that budgets could not be spent and progress appeared limited because they were allocated without proper preparation.

Source: Kantipur