Lawyers' Association for Human Rights of Nepalese Indigenous Peoples (LAHURNIP)The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved the recommendation of the Inspection Panel to investigate Bharatpur-Bardaghat 220kV power transmission line, a part of the Nepal-India Electricity Transmission and Trade Project. The project is being implemented by Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) with the funding of the World Bank.
The affected communities (Indigenous Peoples and local) of Binayi Triveni Rural Municipality-2, Nawalparasi district filed a complaint to the World Bank's Inspection Panel on 18 October 2021. The power line is passing through densely populated human settlement causing adverse impact on communities' lands, livelihoods, environment, homes, schools, cultural and sacred sites, and threatens their health and safety. The project has been initiated without obtaining FPIC, meaningful participation and consultation of affected communities concerned.
The Panel visited the communities on 29 January 2022 and had discussion with around 100 affected community members. As stated by the Panel, the Board has approved the Panel’s recommendation to investigate the project. It further says, the complainants and the borrower will be offered the option of dispute resolution. If the parties voluntarily agree to pursue dispute resolution, the Panel will hold its compliance process until the dispute resolution process is concluded. However, if the parties do not agree to dispute resolution or if they do not eventually reach a dispute resolution agreement, the Panel will commence its investigation.