DOLAKHA, Feb 2:
The 456 megawatts Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project has been without its chief for over a year now, affecting the day-to-day administrative activities of the national pride project.
In absence of the project chief, the project has not been able to take major decisions. This has obstructed the construction of transmission line and acquisition of land required for the purpose. Of the 102 pylons required for supplying electricity generated by the project to Khimiti, the project has approved only 12 pylons so far.
The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) board had suspended then project chief Mrigendra Bahadur Shrestha months before his actual retirement date. He was the chief of the national pride project for 15 years.
After his suspension, Bigyan Prasad Shrestha was appointed officiating chief of the project. But the NEA management later promoted him as acting chief a few months ago after he complained of difficulties while taking major decisions.
The estimated cost of the Upper Tamakohsi Hydropower project is Rs 35 billion.
Managing Director of NEA Arjun Kumar Karki said that the NEA board is unlikely to appoint a project chief anytime soon as absence of chief has not affected construction of the project.
During his visit to the district a month ago, Energy Minister Umakanta Jha had assured of appointing the project chief soon.
A knowledgeable source said that the post of the chief of the project has been lying vacant due to the disagreement between NEA board members.
Similarly, over half a dozen posts are lying vacant in civil construction branch of the project.
Source : Republica
