Kathmandu: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has instructed officials from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, along with relevant line agencies, to accelerate efforts for the production of methane gas in Dailekh and the mining of iron ore at Dhaubadi in Nawalparasi Purva. The directives came during a meeting held at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar, where officials briefed PM Oli on the recent discoveries and future plans.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the China Geological Survey (CGS) recently submitted a preliminary report to the Government of Nepal, revealing a reserve of 112.1 billion cubic meters of methane gas in the Jaljale area of Dailekh district. This significant discovery has prompted the Prime Minister to call for immediate action to harness this resource.
In addition to the methane gas discovery, PM Oli was updated on the progress of iron ore mining at Dhaubadi, Nawalparasi Purva. The briefing followed the completion of a feasibility study by Daubadi Iron Company Limited, which confirmed that the site holds a storage of 99 million tonnes of iron. The company has projected that iron and steel production could commence within four years using standard procedures.
During the meeting, PM Oli emphasized the need for prompt action, instructing officials to bring the methane gas into use within a week. He assured them of the government’s full support, including financial arrangements for the production. Furthermore, PM Oli set a target for the commercial production of iron and steel from Dhaubadi by 2085 BS, pledging necessary resources and legal facilitation from the government.
The meeting was attended by PM Oli’s advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari, and Members of Parliament from the Dailekh district.