Compensation Finalized for Budhigandaki Hydropower Project-Affected Locals

Compensation rates have been finalized for residents affected by the Budhigandaki Hydropower Project in Chumanubri Rural Municipality.

In a joint meeting involving local representatives, officials from the project’s developer Sahas Urja, and affected residents, the compensation for land acquisition was determined. According to Sahas Urja’s Managing Director, Him Pathak, land at Salleri in Ward No. 3—where the dam will be built—will be compensated at Rs 300,000 per ana. Landowners with plots smaller than four anas will receive Rs 400,000 per ana, while land outside the settlement area will be compensated at Rs 150,000 per ana.

Pathak stated that compensation will be distributed for approximately 80 ropanis of land. However, compensation for houses has yet to be determined. The valuation of homes will be based on an assessment conducted by technical staff from the rural municipality.

A total of 26 households in Chumanubri are expected to be displaced by the project. Discussions are currently underway regarding their relocation and rehabilitation, according to rural municipality chairperson Nima Lama.

The Budhigandaki project, with a capacity of 341 megawatts, is the largest hydropower venture being undertaken by the private sector in Nepal. Once completed, it will supply electricity to the national grid via the Ratamate substation in Nuwakot. The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 70 billion.