Kathmandu- Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Kulman Ghising has expressed confidence that Nepal will soon receive water from the Tanakpur Barrage, stating that coordination with the Indian side is underway to facilitate water release.
Minister Ghising made the remarks while inspecting the Tanakpur Barrage at Brahmadev in Kanchanpur district on Tuesday morning during a visit under the third phase of the Mahakali Irrigation Project. Ghising, who also holds the portfolios of Physical Infrastructure and Transport as well as Urban Development, said continuous requests have been made through bilateral mechanisms and formal meetings to ensure water dispatch to the Nepali side, according to his secretariat.
During the on-site inspection, the minister said a decision on water discharge from India is expected soon, noting that Nepal has already completed the 28-kilometre main canal along with branch and sub-branch canals. He said the completed infrastructure could immediately provide irrigation to around 5,000 hectares of land in Kanchanpur district once water is released.
Director General of the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation, Mitra Baral, briefed the minister on the recent progress of the Mahakali Irrigation Project during the visit.
The Mahakali Irrigation Project, listed as a national pride project, is estimated to cost Rs 35 billion and aims to provide irrigation facilities to more than 35,000 hectares of farmland in Kanchanpur and Kailali districts. Under the Nepal–India Integrated Mahakali Treaty, Nepal is entitled to receive 300 cusecs of water during the winter season and 1,000 cusecs during the monsoon.
Although irrigation infrastructure has already been constructed on the Nepali side in line with the treaty provisions, the project has drawn criticism from local residents, who have expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of tangible outcomes despite an investment of more than Rs 9 billion. Project officials have also warned that the infrastructure is at risk of deterioration due to the absence of regular water flow.
During the inspection, Minister Ghising also reviewed the status of the four-lane bridge over the Mahakali River at Bhimdatta Municipality-11 in Kanchanpur.
