Posted by: naivelyStupid November 14, 2008
Arun III and Melamchi
Login in to Rate this Post:     0       ?        

Shouldn't we now think that we had to go down the same way after losing 15 years for nothing, now with an Indian company taking  up the charge instead of donors including WB that time. Do you think there is any obvious difference with the present project as compared to the previous one in terms of environment and 'big project' issues raised that time??

 

Arun III raises 10,000 job hopes  (Himalayan Times)
 

Sankhuwasabha, Nov 13:

The foundation stone for Arun III — touted as the biggest hydel project in the country — was laid yesterday. Officials of Sutlej Hydro-Electricity Corporation, the Indian partner roped
in for the mega project, attended the ceremony along with 17 technical personnel from Nepal.
Rabindra Nath Sharma, general manager, Sutlej Hydro-Electricity Corporation, who had signed the agreement with the government on March 2, led the 10-member Indian delegation to the project site. Arun III is located at Num VDC in Sankhuwasabha.


“We made inspection of the project site and also assessed local needs,” said Sharma. Sutlej will soon open offices in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Khandbari and at the project site. The project aims to generate 402 MW in a single phase. A 1984 survey report had suggested that 201 MW of power could be generated in two phases. “According to the Nepal Electricity Authority, Arun III will be commissioned by 2015. The project cost is estimated to cost Rs 64 billion. The estimate was, however, drawn up three years ago. Infrastructure problems persist. The road to the project site is yet to be built,” said Sharma. The project, a showpiece of development in eastern Nepal, is expected to provide 10,000 jobs directly or indirectly.


“We are confident that the project will be completed on time, if we get the cooperation from locals. The construction work will begin after the survey, which is likely to take at least two years,” added Sharma.
“The Sutlej team has since returned to the capital,” said Surya Prasad Upadhayaya, DSP.
Though the foundation ceremony was slated for September, it got delayed due to various reasons.
Residents of Bhojpur and Sankhuwasabha districts, whose lands are likely to be claimed by the project, are demanding “one house, one share”. Affected people have handed over an eight-point charter of demands to the Sutlej team as well.


“We want job opportunities, a steady supply of power, good road links, preservation of local culture, and rehabilitation of the displaced in adherence to the International Labour Organisations’ Treaty, 1969,” said Raj Kumar Rai, president, Arun III Stakeholders’ Group. Sutlej GM Sharma said he would consult the government on these demands.

Read Full Discussion Thread for this article