Khotang, March 19
The Upper Rawakhola Hydropower Project, which had been halted due to protests by locals demanding compensation, has resumed operations following an agreement.
The project was reinstated after an all-party meeting led by Kepilasgadhi Rural Municipality Chairperson Samir Rai on Tuesday. The meeting concluded with an agreement to compensate landowners within 35 days.
Previously, the Private and Public Property Conservation Struggle Committee had obstructed the project by diverting water from the dam back to the river, halting electricity production.
The protesting locals had also launched a phased protest against Rawa Energy Development Company Limited, Halesi Energy Company Limited, and Lower Mid Rawakhola Hydroelectric Project, accusing them of failing to compensate for acquired land.
“The hydropower companies have deceived the locals by not providing compensation for their property,” said Maitiraj Rai, coordinator of the Private and Public Property Conservation Struggle Committee, Kepilasgadhi.
During the project’s expansion, approximately 5,200 meters of land was used for transmission lines, and 38 plots of land were acquired for pipeline expansion.
To ensure the compensation process is completed, a seven-member coordination committee has been formed under the leadership of local resident Ratna Bahadur Rai, according to Rural Municipality Chairperson Samir Rai.
