Ilam, May 2:

Frequent closure of the Triveni small hydel project has left the locals of the Mawu area, who have invested a sum of Rs 1.3 million in the project, worried.

The project has remained shut for a week after its poles gave way. Earlier too, mechanical troubles and collapse of the canal frequently used to render the project inoperable. Since its launch in October 2002, the project has hardly run smoothly for 20 months, a local, Dakman Gurung, said.

Depositing 314 ropanis of land, 48 households had withdrawn Rs 1.3 million from the Agricultural Development Bank to invest in the project. They were assured the loan would be refunded from the revenue generated through the sale of power. But their hope crashed after the project failed to deliver.

“We deposited our land ownership certificates, hoping it will do good for all, but now we fear our land will be mortgaged,” said Nara Bahadur Diyali, of Mawu.

As the revenue s spent in repair works, the project has not even been able to pay interest to the locals, said secretary of the Triveni project consumers’ committee, Barta Man Gurung.

“Rs 5,00,000 is yet to be collected from the clients”, said president of the consumers’ committee, Dul Bahadur Gurung.