Sankhuwasabha Workers at the 900-megawatt Arun III Hydropower Project in Sankhuwasabha have halted work as they have not received their salaries. As many as 1500 workers have come to a standstill as they have not received their salaries for the past six months.

Workers and petty contractors working at the power house of the project, Chichila rural municipality-2, Pukhuwa have halted the work since this morning. The agitation has completely affected the work of the project. Its construction is being carried out by an Indian company Patel Engineering. According to the workers, they have stopped their work from today as they have not been paid for six months.

The workers and petty contractors have halted the work citing dissatisfaction after the construction company did not show interest in paying the salary on time. Chief District Officer Srijana Thapaliya said that they have come to know that the workers have started the agitation demanding timely payment of their salaries.

He said that the concerned company was informed after the workers had applied to the District Administration Office for payment on time as well.

The 900 MW project is being constructed by India’s Sutlej Company. More than three thousand Indian and Nepali workers have been working in the project’s dam faxeda and power plant. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 120 billion.

As per the agreement, the project will provide 30 units of free electricity to the affected families. According to the development agreement, Nepal will get Rs 340 billion royalty, free electricity, income tax, VAT and customs duty waivers in 25 years from the project.