Kimathanka, Dec 8

Workers of Arun III Hydropower Project have launched agitation from Monday. The 900 MW- Arun III hydel project is under construction in Sankhuwasabha. The workers have halted the construction activities of the project putting forth different demands.

Workers of the dam site, Phyaksinda of Makalu rural municipality-5, halted the activities at dam site, Phyaksinda Dhovan, from Monday morning, demanding increase in their remuneration. An Indian construction company, JP Associates Construction, has been carrying out construction of tunnel and dam site of the project. They have obstructed construction works, saying the construction company has not provided remuneration as per the rate determined by the Physical Infrastructure Office, Sankhuwasabha, they have not got their wages on time and the construction company has not increased their wages for long. Earlier, workers of the project had halted construction works demanding increase in their remuneration and the construction company was agreed to increase remuneration of workers immediately.

A worker Bishal Chauhan said that they are compelled to obstruct the construction activities again as the construction company did not bring the past agreement into implementation. However, Chief District Officer of Sankhuwasabha, Jeevan Prasad Acharya, said that though the works of dam site of the project have demanded increase in their wages, construction works are not halted.