[Archive] Thus, the Arun Project was under siege

The government's plan to build a third Arun of 402 megawatts to complete the existing electricity supply in the country. Opposition by opposition parties and concerned communities.

Shrawn 18, 2082

Kantipur Reporter

[Archive] Thus, the Arun Project was under siege

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The first round of tenders for the construction of Arun III had already been tendered. But six months had passed since the tender process was stopped due to the final decision on the loans to be provided by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

Due to the lack of negotiations regarding the loan scheduled for January 2050, the issue of investment could not be resolved . 38 years ago, it was estimated that 38 billion Nepalese rupees (760 million US dollars) would be spent, and it was not certain whether the country's biggest development project would go ahead or not. 

There was a very big need for electricity in the country. The government's plan to build a third 402 megawatt Arun to meet this need was being questioned by left-wing parties including the main opposition party CPN-UML, national international social organizations and interest groups in the name of local affected people. In the name of interest groups, voices were raised that the project is not in the interest of Nepal. Some organizations had started a sit-in against the deterioration of the environment.

The lenders World Bank and Asian Development Bank were watching Nepal's internal problems with interest. Some stakeholders claimed that the World Bank also kept various conditions while giving loans. 

In this background, from May 30 to June 1, 2051, Finance Secretary Dr. Thakurnath Pant had negotiated with the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank regarding getting a loan to be provided to Arun. Both parties were expected to sign the loan with legal documents in Kathmandu. 

[Archive] Thus, the Arun Project was under siege

The Kathmandu-based officials of the bank also said that 'the loan will be signed along with the negotiations'. Even though the talks have been going on for three days, it was not clear which topic is focused on. During the talks, the Nepali team was informed that the World Bank would propose to its board of directors on July 11, 2051 for loan approval.

The World Bank decided to hold a conference on June 14 by bringing together the organizations that are raising various issues about Arun. "Alliance for Energy" was invited from Nepal. The conference was scheduled to be attended by gas representatives from all over the world.

The event was scheduled to be attended by Vikas Pandey of "Alliance for Energy" from Nepal. Pandey informed that the Arun project is more risky from the point of view of technology and management, that it is not advisable to bring one big project without looking at the options of small and medium-sized projects, and that the production of the project will be very expensive. 

After gathering 14 gasses in Kathmandu, Arun concluded that the third is risky. Some also accused stakeholders and organizations of indirectly playing a role in assigning Arun Bharat. Some even said that India had raised some people and made them oppose Arun. 

Kantipur Dainik published a news titled 'Arun 3rd's Verdict in America' prepared by journalist Narayan Wagle focusing on the obstacles in the construction of Arun, the preparation of the investment agreement and the protests by social organizations including stakeholders.

presentation: Rishiram Paudyal

Kantipur

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