Raghughat Hydel's work affected due to labour unrest

MYAGDI, SEPTEMBER 8: The construction of the 40-megawatt Raghughat Hydro Power Project (Hydel) in Myagdi district has slowed down in recent days. The labourers employed by the Indian civil contractor Jaiprakash Associates (JP) have been protesting due to delayed wages, which has impeded the construction of the hydroelectric dam, tunnel, and powerhouse under the project.

The labour unrest has stalled the project, which has achieved around 60 percent progress in civil works, while the electromechanical works stand at about 25 percent, according to Project Chief Raj Bahadur Bista.

There are around 700 laborers working on-site under the project, which is being built through a joint investment by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and the Indian Import-Export (EXIM) Bank's concessional loan of USD 67 million.

Project Chief Bista further stated, "The JP-associated labourers are protesting and have padlocked the project office for several months due to wage delays. However, the Project has no issues regarding their payment."
According to him, the delay in payment to workers is due to internal issues within the construction company, Jaiprakash Associates (JP).
JP Senior Manager Ram Singh said that the protesting workers resumed construction last Saturday after the company committed to resolving the payment issue.
According to him, wages for July were paid last Friday, and the August remuneration is promised to be paid by September 20. The agitated labourers returned to work after reaching an agreement with the company during last Friday's discussions.

The project was originally scheduled for completion in 2070 BS (Nepali calendar). However, it faced delays due to various issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters. The new deadline is now set for October 17, 2024.
At present, the powerhouse infrastructure is under construction, following the completion of the 6,270-meter-long tunnel, which was connected on July 30 this year.
Other under-construction infrastructures include a 17-meter-high and 31-meter-long semi-reservoir dam at Jhinko, located on the border of Wards 4 and 5 of Raghuganga rural municipality in the district.

Similarly, the powerhouse infrastructure is being built at Tilchenichowk, and access to the project site has been ensured by constructing an 11-km access road and a motorable bridge using truss technology.

Although the project initially aimed to conduct test production by mid-August, the financial challenges faced by the contractor company, JP, pose an obstacle to meeting the deadline.