The locals living around the project site have expressed worries that the Maoist threats would not only hamper the progress of the hydro-project, but would also affect the GMR-run community development activities. [break]
The UCPN (Maoist) had called for a shutdown of Upper Karnali on Monday at a press conference held in Birendranagar.
The coordinator of the Upper Karnali Stakeholders´ Committee at the local level, Bom Bahadur BC, said, “If the Maoists´ climatic nationalism drive affects the project, the entire country will suffer. We must think about this issue on time.”
He argued that if the Maoists felt that it was wrong to let the Indian company, GMR, take the DPR (Detailed Project Report) of the project, they should have nullified the contract when the party was in power. “When they (Maoists) were in power, they kept quiet, and now when they are out of power, they are protesting. What kind of nationalism is this?” BC questioned. He further said that the DPR would be adopted only after it will be endorsed by the locals.
According to GMR, 75 percent of the work related to the DPR process, which began in April 2007, has been completed so far. It has claimed that the rest of the work would be completed within one year.
The company has set up community development activities relating to health, education, and infrastructure development in the affected VDCs in Achham (Bhairavsthan and Raniban) and Dailekh (Singadi, Ramghat, Satala, Brindrasaini and others). It has initiated construction of suspension bridge connecting Bhairavsthan and Satala at the request of the local people. It is also engaged in construction of Relay Station for Nepal Telecom.
“We don´t understand politics. We want development,” said Nara Bahadur BC of Bhairavsthan, adding, “I am sad that the little development that was taking place is now threatened.”
Related story
Locals obstruct forest clearance for Upper Karnali Hydropower P...
