Kathmandu — The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Upper Arun Hydropower Project has been approved. The Ministry of Forests and Environment has prioritized the Upper Arun Project and announced that the EIA was approved on January 3.
The hydropower project, located in Bhotekhola of Sankhuwasabha, has a total estimated cost of NPR 214 billion. The Upper Arun Hydropower Project has a total electricity generation capacity of 1,063.36 megawatts. Recognized as a transformative project in the country’s energy sector, it is the second-largest hydropower project in Nepal to date.
The ministry has already obtained approval from the Cabinet to allow the use of 21.084 hectares of land for this project. Forest Minister Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri has been consistently directing authorities to promptly resolve any legal obstacles arising in development and construction projects.
Accordingly, the ministry has stated that it is prioritizing the files of development projects, projects of national pride, and those with national priority, and is moving forward with the work.
Source: Kantipur
