Budhigandaki project is in our priority: PM Dahal

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister  Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that he remains committed to implementing the Budhigandaki Hydropower Project – a national pride project.

Talking to a delegation of Gandaki Rural Municipality of Gorkha led by its chairperson Deepak Timilsina on Sunday, Dahal said he would hold discussions with relevant bodies, including the Minister for Energy and Water Resources, to move the project forward. He also said the government would provide clear details on how the project will move forward in the upcoming budget.

Gandaki Rural Municipality lies in the project-affected area.

Dahal, who is also the chairman of the CPN (Maoist Centre), noted that his party made its position on the project clear through the election manifesto. “The ruling coalition too has a clear vision about the project,” he said, urging the delegation not to doubt the government’s approach to the project.

Although the government has set up a company to execute the 1200 MW project, progress has been minimal thus far.

French company Tractebel Engineering prepared the detailed project report (DPR) of the mega project in 2014.