Kathmandu. The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation has come up with a new concept for the security of development projects.

The Ministry of Energy is gearing up for the safety of the hydropower projects after the recent floods in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa district caused huge damage and a security crisis.

According to Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, the Ministry has forwarded important policy provisions to make the construction, security and management of various projects of the country more effective.

The Ministry is preparing to implement the new concept in order to minimize the possible risks in the project site and to ensure the safety of the workers.

According to the ministry’s spokesperson, Mohan Kumar Shakya, a 6-point security concept has been prepared. It has proposed everything from mandatory insurance to the restructuring of the tunnel.

In the safety concept, there is a provision for compulsory hall insurance. From now on, every project will have to mandatorily insure the hall or structure. Similarly, one project and one security officer have been arranged.

The concept of ‘one project, one safety officer’ has been put forth to strictly enforce the safety standards in the project site.

Similarly, rescue training has been made mandatory. In case of any emergency or disaster, rescue training will now be conducted regularly at the project site to move to a safe place and to avoid human loss.

Similarly, the concept of contingency planning has been put forward. Under this, a clear contingency plan will be prepared and implemented to deal with a possible crisis, accident or natural disaster.

Similarly, it is proposed to keep the minimum requirement list ready in the power house. Now, a ‘Minimum Needs List’ (MRL) will be prepared and implemented to compulsorily store food and essential commodities that will last for at least 30 days in the power house area.

Similarly, the restructuring of the tunnel has been emphasized. In view of the safety and stability of the tunnel routes, serious discussions and consultations have been intensified on the reconstruction of the tunnel.

“These new standards and concepts will strengthen the safety of the project’s physical assets and workers and make it better to respond to any disaster or emergencies,” the ministry said.