Lahan, December 27

Locals in Siraha have braced for protest against the Dhalkebar-Duhabi 400 Kv High Tension Power Transmission Line Expansion Project.

The government is expanding the high-tension power transmission line to proceed with power trade with India. The locals living in areas adjacent to or below the alignment of the high-tension electricity transmission line are worried that they might be displaced or might suffer from serious health issues in future owing to the structure.

They have even threatened to move court over the issue. People from various wards of Lahan, Dhangadimai and Golbazaar municipalities have protested against the power transmission line extension project.

Work related to installation of poles and cables are going ahead vigorously for extension of the power transmission line.

Locals from various wards of these municipalities today held a news conference and expressed their disagreement with the power transmission line project in their area. They have demanded that the authorities concerned stop the work of power transmission line extension project.

“They have forcibly taken over the local land for construction of the power transmission line extension structures without consulting land-owners,” complained Sarita Giri, a lawmaker and a local.

According to her, the project has not held any discussions with owners of the land said to be acquired by the project. Giri said the owners of the land said to be acquired for the project have been directly notified to claim compensation for their land, adding that no study has been done to determine the possible health hazards that the high-tension line near human settlements would have.

Lawmaker Giri said they were worried that construction of high-tension power transmission line adjacent to the highway might cause leukemia, difficulty in child bearing and cancer as well as a big decrease in agriculture production.

Energy Minister Barshaman Pun, Nepal Electricity Authority Director General Kulman Ghising and World Bank officials have been informed about the problems that might be faced due to the power transmission line extension, parliamentarian Giri said, adding, construction work has not been halted and so they are preparing to move court over the issue.