West Seti project still a far cry; development works in stagnation

-Bimal Bahadur Bista

Several development initiatives have remained stagnant in dozens of villages in Doti for no headways in the construction of 750-MW West Seti Hydro Project. The project was said to have been constructed since long ago.

Local people have been bearing the brunt of stalled development in villages. "We are reluctant to take ahead development works as the much-talked hydel project may put obstruction resulting in wasteful spending of development costs", said Tej Bahadur Dumrel, chairperson of Sayal rural municipality.

Development works are not progressing anymore in and around West Seti Hydropower Project area which includes ward 4 and 5 of Nawadurga rural municipality in Dadeldhura, Sigas rural municipality in Baitadi, Adarsha rural municipality in Doti and some villages of Bajhang.

Tek Bahadur Deuba, a local of Kauradi, Chhapali, complained that there is no headway of development works in and around project site due to failure on government side to officially take ahead the construction of Seti hydel project.

"Decades have elapsed in want of the construction of West Seti project but there seems no light at the end of tunnel. Our village development works have however been badly affected. Who will get along our painful situation?".

Locals have alleged that every political parties have only made West Seti a political stunt in elections. Though 28 years have passed away, the dream for Seti9 Project construction still seems a far cry.