Cabinet approves Budhigandaki Authority Bill in principle; Bhattarai says disasters shouldn't be used to block reservoir projects

The government has approved in principle the Budhigandaki Development Authority Bill to advance the national pride Budhigandaki project.

Former Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai has welcomed the decision. Questions have been raised about large reservoir projects following recent ice-rock landslides in the Bhotekoshi, Trishuli and Budhigandaki rivers.

Dr. Bhattarai said on social media that it would be unfortunate to argue such projects should not be built at all by citing disasters. He called such reasoning as absurd as saying multi-storey buildings should not be built after a major earthquake.

He cited the example of countries like Japan, which frequently experience earthquakes but still build tall structures. He suggested the government advance Budhigandaki as a multipurpose project.

He also urged attention to building risk-resilient structures and ensuring sustainable environmental conservation.