Gorkha, November 11

Budhi Gandaki Hydro Power Project has distributed compensation amounting to over Rs 27.8 billion to private land owners, whose land was acquired for the project, and only a few beneficiaries are to be paid.

Altogether, land owners from 27 then Village Development Committees in Gorkha and Dhading were enlisted in the beneficiaries’ list whose lands were acquired for the project as their land and settlements would face inundation due to the project dam.

Project Chief of Rehabilitation and Resettlement Unit Office, Krishna Karki, said compensation had covered 44,000 ropani land so far and the compensation distribution process was nearing conclusion.

Delay on the part of compensation distribution to rest of the beneficiaries was because the land owners’ land had been mortgaged.

“Majority of those who have not received compensation did not have land ownership certificates but were recorded in the field book. So we are holding discussions to seek resolution to this situation,” he added.

Similarly, compensation amount for the land acquired in Aarughat in Gorkha and Aarkhet market area and Aarughat in Dhading and Khahare market area is yet to be determined.

The national pride project will displace 20,146 households while around 25,000 people in both districts will be affected directly and indirectly as it is being built in the bordering area between Dhading and Gorkha.