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Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha conducted an on-site inspection and monitoring visit to the National Pride Bheri-Babai Diversion Project.

On Friday, Minister Shrestha visited the project’s dam site at Chipley in Bheriganga Municipality, where he inspected various physical infrastructures currently under construction. He also held discussions at the project site with concerned authorities and stakeholders regarding the project’s progress and the remaining works.

Minister Shrestha said the field visit and discussions were carried out with the objective of completing the National Pride project without any further delay, as it should have been finished long ago. He added that consultations were held with the relevant agencies on the measures needed to move the project forward in a result-oriented manner.

According to Project Chief Haridatta Paudel, once completed, the project will provide irrigation facilities to 51,000 hectares of farmland in Banke and Bardiya districts while generating 46 MW of electricity. It is also expected to play a significant role in addressing the shortage of electricity meters in Karnali Province and resolving the low-voltage problem in Surkhet.

Paudel said that of the 5,000 electricity meters requested, 2,000 have already been supplied and installation has begun. The remaining 3,000 meters are expected to be delivered within seven days.

Minister Shrestha also stated that the budget required to resolve Surkhet’s low-voltage problem has already been allocated, and the process has been initiated to begin power system upgrade works within the next few months. He added that during the visit, he had the opportunity to directly hear complaints and concerns from consumers served by the Surkhet Distribution Centre, which currently provides electricity services to around 80,000 customers.

NepalPurbadhar