Phidim, August 13

The Hewa B Hydropower project, which is under construction in Panchthar, Phidim, has incurred millions of rupees in loss due to last year’s massive earthquake, border blockade and frequent disruption of construction work.

According to the project developer Mountain Hydro Pvt Ltd Nepal chairperson Sitaram Timsina, the project has incurred a loss of Rs 20 million.

“First, the massive earthquake hit the project construction at the beginning. Then came the border blockade which created shortage of petroleum products and other necessary construction materials needed to carry on the works,” said Timsina, adding that the construction had to be halted for about six months from August, 2015 to February this year.

Further, Timsina also rued the frequent disruption of construction works due to protest by the locals.

The 21 megawatts hydropower project was launched in November/December of 2014 with the aim of completing all construction works within two years.

However, given the aforementioned factors, the project is almost sure to miss the the construction deadline.

So far only 50 per cent of the construction work is said to have been completed. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 3.66 billion.

According to Timsina, the project’s investment is likely to go up by Rs 200 million on account of the delay in construction.

The company, before kick starting construction of the project, had struck a 10-point agreement with the locals. But the locals have accused that the project did not carry out development activities as per the agreement.

“If the project does not make good of its promise in the agreement, it will have to face further disruption in its works,” warned Prem Prasad Limbu, chairperson of the locals’ concerned committee.