Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Barshaman Pun has said electricity projects would be pursued only by considering the nation’s interest. He said so while responding to queries raised by lawmakers during deliberations on the various topics related to the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation under the Appropriation Bill, 2076 BS in the meeting of the National Assembly today.
“The government carrying out works with the goal of reaching electricity to the house of all the Nepalis within the next three years,” the Energy Minister asserted. He said 3,500 megawtts power would be produced within the next three years from 22 electricity projects that have been forwarded in the country at present and added that the Trishuli ‘A’ Third has proved that hydroelectricity projects could be built through domestic capital by pooling the money scattered across the nation.
Stating that provisions have been made connecting the electricity produced by small projects to the central grid and providing benefits to the projects, the Energy Minister asserted that efforts were on for the development of industries by means of energy. “A target has been set for achieving eight percent economic growth next year for the country’s economic development and prosperity.
I urge one and all to participate in the campaign of developing the country by making investment in the projects with people’s investment as these projects are secure for investment,” he said. He informed the Assembly that a decision has been made to go ahead with the Sunkoshi-Kamala-Marin Diversion Project with the estimation that it will provide irrigation facilities to 122 thousand hectares of land in the central Tarai.
A latest study shows that there are 23 thousand rivers, streams and rivulets in the country, he said, reiterating the government was carrying out works by keeping the Chure conservation, river training and embankment construction in priority. Before this, it was said Nepal had 6,000 rivers- big and small.
“This time, Rs 2.50 billion has been earmarked in the federal budget for the construction of embankments and no shortcomings would be allowed in the river training works in the coming year through joint efforts of the federal, state and local governments,” Minister Pun said. He said the construction of Budhi Gnadaki Hydroelectricity Project, a project of national pride, has not been awarded to any party so far and the government was mulling constructing it by the state itself.
Discussions are on regarding the construction modality and arranging the investment for this project, he added. According to the latest DPR of the project, the preliminary construction cost of the project has been estimated around Rs 273 billion. The Energy Minister also reiterated that the government was aware and conscious that the West Seti Hydroelectricity Project, another national pride project, with a capacity of generating 750 megawatts power should be advanced as per the country’s interest. RSS
