Ministry of Irrigation has already sent proposal of the project, which is estimated to cost Rs 4 billion, to National Planning Commission (NPC).
According to Project Chief Shivaram Basnet, works on the new project will begin once the NPC approves the proposal. "The proposal is currently under discussion at NPC. One the proposal is approved, the project will be implemented directly without preparing detailed project report (DPR)," said Basnet.
The new project will cover the segment of Bheri River from Rakam to Ghatghau where the river converges with Karnali River. It will provide irrigation facility, build rural roads and provide electricity services in project area spanning over 125 kilometers.
BBDMP, which aims to divert water from Bheri River to Babai River to irrigate 60,000 hectares of agricultural land in Bardiya and Banke districts of Nepal and also to generate about 400 GWh of hydroelectric energy annually, is a national pride project of the government.
Basnet told Republica that the new project will cover 22 VDCs of Surkhet, three of Salyan and one of Bardiya.
According to Basnet, water of Bheri River will be lifted to the land alongside the bank of the river through water pipes to irrigate the land. The project will provide irrigation facility in around 6,800 hectares. "The consolidation of small canals of various rivers will be helpful in providing irrigation service to the farmers which will also sustain the overall concept of Bheri-Babai Diversion Project," he added.
Former Minister of Home Purna Bahadur Khadka, who hails from Surkhet, told Republica that the new project was initiated to minimize the impact of diversion on locals by providing them additional benefits. "The works should move ahead to complete the diversion and corridor as well as the development project together," he added.
BBDMP is planning to lay the foundation stone of the tunnel for diversion project next week.
Chinese company China Overseas Engineering Group (COEG) is the contractor for tunnel-digging works. According to project office, the tunnel will be constructed within five years.
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