LAMJUNG:  Protracted Tarai agitation and unofficial blockade imposed by India in the various border points have caused acute shortage of petroleum products. As a consequence five hydel projects in Lamjung district have halted their construction works.

Construction works of the 50 MW Marshyangdi Hydro Project at Bhulbhule in eastern Lamjung has suffered a setback due to the shortage of fuel. Most of the workers have been laid-off.

According to a project officer, only 150 employees are currently working at the site and 850 other workers have already been sent home.

Likewise, Midim Hydro Project (3 MW) Super Dordi Hydro Project (28 MW), Lower Dordi Hydro Project (49 MW), Upper Dordi A (25 MW) and Himali Hydro Project have stopped their construction works citing fuel shortage.

The projects officers have said that they were compelled to halt the construction works as they were reeling under acute shortage of petroleum products.

Workers were also severely hit by this situation as they were running out of essential goods as well as cooking gas and eventually returned to their villages.

The projects have claimed that they need at least 10,000 litres of diseal and 5,000 litres of petrol on daily basis.