Mangalbare, January 3:

The small hydro electric project run for the first time as a test project by the government has been left in limbo.

The project in Maiyukhola, which is spread over 16 ropanis of land of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) at Mehelbote of Pashupatinagar-6 in east Ilam, is closed since 2057 BS. The machines and parts are in dilapidated condition after the closure of the project, said a local Suman Paudel.

The government’s Rs 1,259,573 investment in the project has gone waste. The project, which generated electricity since 2039 Asoj 1 after construction began in 2036-37 BS, had expanded its services to only some wards of Gorkhe and Pashupatinagar VDCs. The 64 kw capacity project that should have generated 32 kw each for both VDCs generated only 11 kw as sufficient water could not be stored in the reservoir of the project. Users were not satisfied with the project as it produced very little power. Locals say that if the project is repaired and machine theft controlled, people nearby would get electricity.