KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 4

Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Shakti Bahadur Basnet has issued a directive to formulate a comprehensive action plan aimed at completing the Bheri Babai Diversion Multipurpose Project within the next two years.

During an on-site inspection of the Bheri Babai Diversion Project on Sunday, Minister Basnet engaged in discussions with both project employees and contractor company representatives.

He emphasised the necessity of developing a robust action plan to ensure the project's completion within the specified two-year timeframe.

Minister Basnet expressed concern over the project's lack of progress, and stressed the urgency of creating an action plan to expedite its completion.

He made it clear that any extension of construction deadline would be contingent upon progress reported in accordance with the action plan. 'In the absence of substantial progress, the government shall not entertain requests for deadline extensions,' he said.

Furthermore, Minister Basnet urged for the swift processing of compensation for citizens affected by the project.

He stressed the importance of ensuring fairness in this process, and instructed that processing of files of eligible citizens should be expedited, and measures should be taken to involve those who have been deprived of compensation.

Minister Basnet said the government is committed to treating its citizens fairly and avoiding any form of injustice.

Present during the monitoring programme were Karnali Provincial Government's Acting Chief Minister Mangal Shahi, Karnali Provincial Government Spokesperson and Minister of Internal Affairs and Law, Krishna Bahadur JC, Provincial Assembly Member Bindaman Bista, among others.

A version of this article appears in the print on September 05, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.