Around 400 families are set to receive compensation for land acquired for the construction of the 900 MW Arun III Hydropower Project in Makalu Rural Municipality, Sankhuwasabha, as nearly 80% of the project’s work has been completed.
The Supreme Court issued a directive on December 26, 2024, instructing authorities to provide compensation within a month, based on a notice published by the District Administration Office (DAO), Sankhuwasabha, on April 6, 2023. At the time, the DAO had set the compensation rate for 524 ropanis of land used for the 24-kilometer access road from Chyangkuti to the powerhouse at NPR 11.75 million per ropani. Arun-3 Power Development Company Limited had deposited NPR 530 million into the DAO’s escrow account for affected families.
Nearly 400 households have been impacted by the construction of the access road. Following the Supreme Court’s directive, the DAO has forwarded a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Chief District Officer Binod Kumar Khadka confirmed.
On June 5, 2024, the main tunnel of the Arun III Hydropower Project was completed with a breakthrough announcement, marking a significant milestone in the project’s development.