Local leaders in Trashi Yangtse have raised concerns over the slow pace of the construction works of Kholongchu Hydropower Project Limited. During the recently held Dzongkhag Tshogdu, members said due to delayed work, people are not able to reap the socio-economic benefits of the project.
Started in 2015, the construction of the 600-megawatt Kholongchu Hydropower Project was supposed to be completed by early this year. But the deadline has been missed. The approach road to the project site, bridges, power substations and transmission lines have been completed so far.
Although the construction of the staff housing colony was hampered by the pandemic, it is nearing completion. One of the main civil works of the project which is to build a headrace tunnel worth more than Nu 4bn is underway. But other key works such as the construction of dam and powerhouse are yet to begin.
Citing these issues, local leaders urged the project officials to speed up the construction works.
“The project has not benefited our people. Only a few have been employed by the project so far. So, many youths are jobless, said Tongmajangsa Gup, Ugyen Dorji.
Other gups too expressed similar concerns.
“People here have taken loans from the banks and constructed houses to earn income. But if the hydropower project gets delayed like this, they will be severely affected,” added Khamdang Gup, Tashi Wangchuk.
“If the main construction works of the project are delayed, people are okay with it since it is all to do with capital investment. But when it comes to current investment, they say the project must reduce the budget by reallocating employees,” said Dzongkhag Tshogdu Chairman, Cheku.
Joint Managing Director of the project, Kencho Dorji, said discussions are going on about dividing the contract works of the dam and powerhouse construction between the Indian company by the name Jaypee Group and Construction Development Corporation Limited (CDCL).
He added that the CDCL will execute 20 per cent of the works and the remaining 80 per cent will be undertaken by the Jaypee Group.
The Joint Managing Director also said the project now has more than 180 employees, of which almost 30 are from within the district.
The project intends to recruit 300 more staff once the work gains momentum. However, the Joint Managing Director said they cannot give a definite deadline for when the project will be ready. For now, the project has suspended the construction of non-essential infrastructural works such as schools.
Since the start of the construction till date, more than Nu 4.3bn has been spent on the project.
The Kholongchu Hydropower Project is a joint venture company of SJVN of India and Druk Green Power Corporation of Bhutan.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Pema Lhaden
