Damauli, August 4

Locals at Kotdarbar and Kanhunshivapur VDCs in Tanahun have demanded that the concerned authority manage human settlements prior to the construction of the 140 MW Tanahun Electricity Project in Byas Municipality.

Locals fear that their settlements will be inundated after the dam of the project is constructed.

They have demanded that the concerned authority manage the roads, drinking water and the forest before operation of the project.

The villagers organised a gathering at Kotdarbar yesterday and informed the stakeholders of the consequences that could follow if the dam was constructed without prior management.

As many as 300 locals participated in the gathering.

They said the project was likely to affect community forest, roads and other infrastructure in the area.

Lawmaker Jhul Bahadur Ale said the concerned authority ought to meet the villagers’ demands on time. “I will take the issue to the concerned authority,” he assured.

Construction work on the project is yet to begin due to technical problems.

JICA, Asian Development Bank (ADB), among other donor agencies, have assisted in building the project.

More than Rs 420 million has already been collected till date for the project. Construction work on a motorable bridge over the Seti River and a tunnel were completed before construction of the project began.