Nepal: Cable Car-01

Date Filed
26 Aug 2025
Status
Open
Phase
Compliance
Country
Nepal

Case Tracker

Eligibility
September 07, 2025-December 12, 2025
Eligibility
Assessment
December 15, 2025-March 31, 2026
Assessment
Dispute Resolution
Compliance
Appraisal
Status as of April 01, 2026
CURRENT Status
Appraisal (COMPLIANCE)
Status as of April 01, 2026

Complaint Overview

Complainant

Confidential

Concerns

Environmental, cultural, and social harm, lack of risk assessment, economic displacement, biodiversity impacts, absence of prior consent, destruction of sacred sites, intimidation, and delayed disclosure that hindered community engagement

Cross-Cutting Issues
Biodiversity Cultural Heritage IFC/MIGA Due Diligence Loss of Livelihoods

Project Information

Region
South Asia
Institution
IFC
Name & Number
IFC Project No. 607394
Company
IME Group
Sector
Advisory Services
Department
Infrastructure
Category
FI
Commitment

US$156,746 

Synopsis

Project Overview

IFC is supporting IME Group in preparing four cable car projects through technical, financial, environmental and regulatory advisory services, as well as corporate governance support for the future operating entity. IFC indicated that it would explore blended and climate finance options to strengthen project viability and that, in return, it would seek the opportunity to act as lead financing arranger and mobilize additional investors, subject to agreed protections under the Project Services Agreement.

Complaint

In August 2025, CAO received a complaint from community members regarding one of the cable car projects, alleging environmental, cultural, and social harm associated with the proposed project. The complaint raised concerns related to the lack of adequate risk assessment, economic displacement, impacts on biodiversity, the absence of prior consent, the destruction of sites of cultural and spiritual significance, and incidents of intimidation. The complainants also indicated that delayed disclosure of project information hindered meaningful community engagement.

Action

In December 2025, CAO found the complaint eligible and initiated its assessment. During the assessment process, the company did not engage with CAO. In accordance with the CAO Policy, the case was transferred to the Compliance function for appraisal to determine whether an investigation of IFC’s environmental and social performance is warranted in relation to the issues raised in the complaint. The Assessment Report is available in English. 

Status

The case is under compliance appraisal. 

Status as of April 02, 2026.

Case Documents

  • Complaint and Assessment

    Complaint
    Letter of Complaint
    Aug 26, 2025
    English
    Letter of Complaint
    Assessment Report
    Assessment Report
    Mar 31, 2026
    English
    Assessment Report
  • Close Modal

    Join Our Mailing List

    Get CAO’s newsletter, latest publications, event updates, and more.