Dailekh. It has been confirmed that a huge amount of natural gas is found underground at Jaljale area of Bhairavi rural municipality-1. However, this important project is now in confusion as the main work of the second phase has not moved forward. The project, which was once in the national spotlight after a preliminary study showed the possibility of supplying gas to Nepal for years, has now slowed down due to lack of a concrete work schedule.

Meanwhile, a historic joint meeting of people’s representatives of local levels of Dailekh and Kalikot districts, chiefs of district administration and security agencies held at Mahabulek on May 17 has strongly raised this issue. The meeting also decided to demand the government to expedite the extraction of petroleum products by ascertaining the true capacity of the burning petroleum products.

The China Geological Survey has been carrying out studies here since 2019 with the grant assistance of around Rs 2.17 billion from the Chinese government. According to a report submitted by a team of Chinese technicians to the Government of Nepal, there are about 80.7 billion cubic meters of natural gas reserves in the area. This magnitude is expected to last 50 to 60 years in Nepal. Nepal’s deepest drilling up to 4,013 meters has been successfully completed in coordination with the Department of Mines and Geology.

According to Prakash Luitel, information officer of the project, the Chinese side has already submitted the technical report of the first phase. But the main task now will be to conduct final tests of the gas’s productivity and commercial storage. He said that although the request letter was sent to the Chinese side for further process as it was a G2G level project of the two countries, the work was delayed due to the lack of official response and clear work schedule from the Chinese side.

If gas extraction could be started from Dailekh, this billions of rupees would be stopped in the country. Methane can be used as CNG in vehicles, as fuel in industries, and as an alternative to LPG in homes. Experts say that this will strengthen the country’s energy security even when the price of fuel increases in the international market or the blockade is imposed.

Chairman of Dullu Panchakoshi Area Development Organization, Nabin Yogi said that this project is not only the Mahayagya of economic transformation of Dailekh but of the whole country. He stressed that the government should take it ahead by putting it in the top national priority in the policy and programmes for the coming fiscal year 2083/84. He also demanded that employment and meaningful participation of locals of Dailekh should be ensured while excavating the earth and the Panchakoshi Jwala area (Shirasthan, Nabhisthan and Padukasthan) of historical and religious importance should be protected.

The meeting held at Mahabulek located at an altitude of 4,168 meters above sea level passed a six-point historic common commitment along with the excavation of petroleum products.

The meeting also decided to demand adequate budget from the federal and provincial governments for opening and upgrading the remaining track of the tri-junction Mahabu road. Deputy Speaker of Karnali Province Assembly Yashoda Neupane, mayor of Narayan municipality Loman Sharma, Mahabu rural municipality chair Janga Bahadur Shahi, Naumule rural municipality chair Chhabi Subedi, Kalikot rural municipality chair Khem Raj Singh, among the speakers said the Mahabu road would be a lifeline for Karnali’s prosperity. The meeting also passed a proposal for systematic development of Mahabaidham, construction of alternative road, border security and development of Mahabu area as an ecological hub.

It takes only 16 hours to travel from Dailekh district headquarters to Mahabu as the road is unpaved and dilapidated. The historic meeting was held despite the extreme inconvenience of transportation and communication.