SINDUPALCHOWK, Feb 16:The under-construction 102-MW Middle Bhotekoshi Hydro Electricity Project (MBHEP) has distributed compensation to locals for the land acquisitioned for the project on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, MBHEP provided Rs. 33.2 million to 30 locals. Of total 351 ropani lands required for the construction of the hydro project, MBHEP completed land acquisation process for 55 ropani in ward no 3 and 9 of Gati VDC-3.
Prakash Awasthi, the chief of the project informed that they are in the process of acquiring another 54 ropani of land in Marming VDC-1 for building embankment, 19 ropani in Sakhuwa for digging tunnel and 223 ropani for constructing the power house of the hydro power station. He also said the land acquisition process will conclude within this fiscal year.
The hydro project paid the locals Rs 1 million per ropani for the land along the Araniko Higway and Rs 525,000 per ropani for the land away from the highway.
Chilime Hydropower Company, the promoter of MBHEP, said it has begun the process of selecting contractor for the project. Stating that the process of shortlisting contractors is in its final phase, Awasthi said, “As many as 11 international firms are likely to be shortlisted.”
The company aims to start the construction work of the hydro power project from 2013 and complete it by 2016. Earlier the project faced obstructions after Nepal Association of Rafting Agents and a local resort filed writ petitions at the Supreme Court demanding to halt the construction of the project saying it kills whitewater rafting in the river. But the court ordered in favor of the project.
MBHEP has already completed the construction of 250 meter long adit tunnel. The project will cost Rs 14 billion to complete, according to estimates.
Source : Republica
