- Basanta Bhujel
The Budhi Gandaki Hydropower Project has been the victim of tension between the political parties and their leaders. This 1,200 MW hydropower project, which is being constructed on the border of Dhading and Gorkha districts, is very important for Nepal from various points of view. The project has been identified by The Gorkha UK Limited. This columnist was also involved in the study. As an engineer serving in the British Army, he had the opportunity to study other possible projects in Nepal at that time. It was decided at that time that the immediate alternative would be alternative energy and the long-term alternative would be the Budhi Gandaki project. During the study, the Budhi Gandaki reservoir project was found to be the most feasible for various reasons. Further studies were conducted on this basis. If more efforts had been made, the project would have been funded by the UK at that time. ‘The Gurkhas gave us a lot, Even if we can’t give much in return, Nepal should be made self-sufficient in electricity, ‘said the then white (British) team leader. But it was ignored. Why is it ignored? The mystery is slowly unfolding. If the UK made it a grant, then the commission would not come, corruption would not be allowed, so it was boycotted. That was said by the then Prime Minister and then Maoist leader Dr. Baburam Bhattarai has confirmed. At that time, during the study and survey, the Maoists had tortured him for days. The secret of torture is now revealed. That is why he was beaten. That was said by the then Prime Minister and then Maoist leader Dr. Baburam Bhattarai has been confirmed. At that time, the Maoists tortured him during the study and survey. The secret of torture is now revealed. That is why he was beaten. That was said by the then Prime Minister and then Maoist leader Dr. Baburam Bhattarai has been confirmed. At that time, the Maoists tortured him during the study and survey. The secret of torture is now revealed.
Why is it possible?
First of all, almost all hydropower projects in Nepal so far are based on river flow. Due to which electricity is generated at full capacity only in the rainy season. Not even a quarter in winter. For example, the Upper Tamakoshi, the largest hydroelectric project ever to be completed, has a capacity of 456 MW. But it produces at full capacity only from June to September. It produces only 80 MW from demand to Chait. This is the condition of almost all the hydropower projects in the country. Hydropower projects based on river flow are responsible for wasting electricity in the rainy season but not in the winter. However, Vudhi Gandaki is a reservoir project that produces at full capacity in the rainy season and can be produced at full capacity in the evening and morning peak even in winter. Secondly, another important aspect of this project is that since rainwater can be stored in the reservoir, flood control is maintained and the same water can be used in the dry season of winter. Also, the reservoir is 15 times bigger than Pokhara’s Fewa Taal. Today, Pokhara has become the main hub of domestic tourism, the main reason is the Phewa Lake. As there is a reservoir 15 times bigger than Fewatal, the area of Budhi Gandaki attracts a lot of domestic tourists. Because Kathmandu Valley, the most populous capital of Nepal, is only three hours away from there. It is 2 hours away from Chitwan, which is becoming the second largest city in Nepal. It is three and a half hours away from Butwal. It is about 5 hours away from Birgunj. In the same way, abundant fish can be reared in the reservoir.
If it had been made, it would have been completed four or five years ago. By this time, the country’s economy would have recovered. If the leaders were honest, there would be no shortage of budget. Rs 30-35 billion has been collected from taxes on petroleum products. If the state had released an additional budget of Rs 20 billion every year, the project would have gained momentum. But the leaders made the project a milk cow to fill their pockets. In the name of distributing compensation, the cadres posed and looted. Roads were built, bridges were built, electrified, schools, colleges and hospitals were built on the same land that was submerged 20 years ago. As a result, the price of land has gone up from Rs 25,000 to Rs 2 million per acre. This columnist remembers well when the project was identified, At that time, the price of land in Duwan area was Rs 25,000 per ropani in the slum area and Rs 5,000 per ropani in other areas. At the same time, it is suggested to acquire. If it had been acquired at that time, 50-60 crore compensation would have been enough. But the intentions of the party leaders were bad, why did they distribute compensation at that time? At that time, the suggestion of distributing compensation was not accepted. Land prices would not have risen if the budget for roads, bridges, hospitals, electrification, etc. in the Duwan area had not been spent. There was no need to pay compensation. So far, one-third of the total cost has been spent on compensation. The main culprit in this situation is Dr. It is Baburam Bhattarai. The development work in other areas has been put on hold and the entire budget has been poured into the Duwan area. This was done while Bhattarai was the finance minister and prime minister. It cannot be said that such an educated person did not know this, he did this with the intention of making the country poor and turning the project into a foreign one. At present, the project is being occupied by China, but it will not be completed until it reaches Polta, India. Just as the cheapest Arun III hydropower project has been shifted to Polta, India, the Budhi Gandaki project is also being shifted to Polta, India. But this project will not be completed until it reaches Polta, India. Just as the cheapest Arun III hydropower project has been shifted to Polta, India, the Budhi Gandaki project is also being shifted to Polta, India. But this project will not be completed until it reaches Polta, India. Just as the cheapest Arun III hydropower project has been shifted to Polta, India, the Budhi Gandaki project is also being shifted to Polta, India.
Another British attempt
The United Kingdom found the needle in the study. With this needle, the Green Energy Group of the United Kingdom had committed to the Government of Nepal for the time being to carry out a project with a reservoir of 1,200 MW at its own expense. It was suggested to go for the concept of alternative energy for the time being instead of taking Budhi Gandaki forward by taking foreign loans. Further studies were conducted for this. The company had suggested to its government with a commitment to generate 3,000 MW of electricity from solar and wind energy. Prime Minister Bailey had expressed his commitment to provide assistance to Nepal during the crisis. Not only that, he had also passed the proposal from the cabinet. But at the same time, the government suddenly fell in Nepal. The then Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala dissolved the House of Representatives and announced midterm elections. Then a minority government was formed, Nepal’s politics has moved in the wrong direction. Indian agents have played a key role in this upheaval.
Dr. There is talk everywhere that Baburam Bhattarai is a loyal Indian agent. The wind does not shake the leaves. What about Budhi Gandaki? Even the remaining half of Karnali has been handed over to the Indian agents. In fact, the projects that will make a significant contribution to the economic development of Nepal are Lumbini International Airport, Nijgadh International Airport, Kathmandu-Terai Fast Track, Mid-Hill Highway and others besides Budhigandaki. But all the projects except the Mid-Hill Highway have not been allowed to proceed by the Indian agents. Despite many obstacles, the construction of Lumbini International Airport is nearing completion. But India is still reluctant to provide air routes for landing. In order for Lumbini Airport to be operational, India has to provide two more air routes to enter from Mahendranagar and Biratnagar areas, but the day is not over. It is said to be given directly from Bhairahawa. Giving from Bhairahawa means that every ship has to get its permit for landing and taking off. It is also in his interest not to obstruct the Mid-Hill Highway. India estimates that if the Mid-Hill Highway is built, the migration of hill people in the Terai will decrease. It is for this interest that India has not obstructed the Mid-Hill Highway. In any case, Dr. The Mid-Hill Highway project, which was launched during the time of Baburam Bhattarai, is the economic backbone of the country. This project is also strategically important for Nepal. The Mid-Hill Highway project, which was launched during the time of Baburam Bhattarai, is the economic backbone of the country. This project is also strategically important for Nepal. The Mid-Hill Highway project, which was launched during the time of Baburam Bhattarai, is the economic backbone of the country. This project is also strategically important for Nepal. The Mid-Hill Highway project, which was launched during the time of Baburam Bhattarai, is the economic backbone of the country. This project is also strategically important for Nepal. The Mid-Hill Highway project, which was launched during the time of Baburam Bhattarai, is the economic backbone of the country. This project is also strategically important for Nepal.
There is a Nepali proverb that when sin reaches 12 years of age, sin is eradicated. Not to mention that exactly 12 years after the overthrow of the state, Dr. Baburam Bhattarai has complained about the incident in Budhigandaki. He said he had evidence of corruption. If only a snake sees the foot of a snake, then the action taken by Sher Bahadur Deuba and KP Oli is Dr. Bhattarai has seen. Now for the evidence he has, Dr. Does Bhattarai keep it hidden or reveal it? It remains to be seen. But he is not happy even if he hides it, he is not happy even when he is exposed. If it is kept hidden, it is considered as direct wagging. If it is revealed, Deuba and Oli will not be left to expose his actions. And finally the motives and actions of those who overthrew the monarchy will be exposed. Why was the monarchy overthrown? After 12 years, the leaders are confirming that.
(Bhujel is a retired engineer in the British Army)
