Villagers protest dam on Kali at Pancheshwar

BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, February 23

Villagers residing along the Kali river are resenting a multi-purpose project with Nepal proposed to be built on it at Pancheswar. They say they will oppose the construction of the Pancheshwar dam tooth and nail if their rehabilitation is not taken care of.

The villagers affected in India and Nepal expressed their resentment before members of the India-Nepal Joint Action Forum that is on a visit these days.

“The villagers have said they will oppose the project if their rehabilitation is not properly done,” said Kamal Bhatt, a member of the delegation and representative of the World Human Rights Organisation, based in Nepal.

The members of the forum today visited several villages in India and Nepal and assured the people that the forum would fight to have the right compensation, employment options and residential accommodation for oustees for the project. They would convey to governments of both India and Nepal that top priority should be given to the rehabilitation and employment of the affected persons, the forum members said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at an election rally in Pithoragarh district earlier this month, had said the Rs 35,000 crore Pancheshwar project would equally benefit India and Nepal.

“The Prime Minister’s speech at a rally in Pithoragarh was taken as a green light by the Central Government to construction of the project,” said Jay Singh Bhatt, another member of the delegation.

The India-Nepal Joint Action Forum said after visiting villages and hearing grievances of the villagers, a detailed report would be sent to the governments of both countries.