Nepal-India Regional Trade and Transport Project (P144335)

Nepal-India Regional Trade and Transport Project (P144335) | Accountability Console

Nepal-India Regional Trade and Transport Project (P144335)

Issues

Sectors

Project

Name: Nepal-India Regional Trade And Transport Project

Investments: WB P144335

Client: Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Nepal, Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Nepal, Nepal

Support: Grant, Loans

Country: Nepal

Complaint

IAM: Inspection Panel (Panel)

ID: 147

Date Filed: April 25, 2020

Date Closed: Jan. 10, 2022

Status: Closed Without Outputs

Description

The Requesters allege non-compliance with the Bank’s policies on Environmental Assessment, Indigenous Peoples, Physical Cultural Resources and Involuntary Resettlement. They argue that the project failed to address historical land claims, pollution and labor concerns relating to a cement plant that used to be in the location of a new dry port. According to the Request, the dry port will have environmental and social impact on neighboring communities, including Newars, who the project did not identify as indigenous, thus infringing indigenous peoples’ rights in various ways. The Requesters argue that the project will also damage Chobhar’s historical, religious and cultural heritage, particularly the Jal Binayak Temple, one of the Valley’s most important religious Ganesh shrines, as well as the historical Manjushree gorge, and a cremation site. Furthermore, they allege a lack of effective consultation, disclosure of information and grievance redress. They also raise concerns about the deployment of forces at the construction site against community members opposing the project.

Complaint Stages

Timeline