KANCHANPUR, Nov 1: Infrastructure to provide irrigation to 5,000 hectares of farmland under the Mahakali Irrigation Project's third phase has been completed, but farmers remain unable to receive water because India has yet to release supplies from the Tanakpur Barrage.
A 28-kilometre main canal stretching from Brahmadev to Phuleli in Shuklaphanta Municipality was completed several years ago. Of the 22 branch canals planned to connect the main canal to farmland, 14 have been completed, while construction of the remaining eight is nearing completion.
However, the canal has remained dry despite being tested four years ago. During the trial, water released from Tanakpur reached the canal, and farmers even marked National Paddy Day. No water has flowed through it since.
Project Director Ganesh Marasini said repeated requests to the Indian side had failed to secure a regular water supply. The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), which operates the Tanakpur facility, has not agreed to release water, he said.
Mahakali Irrigation Project in limbo as regular water supply re...
"NHPC officials tell us they will release water as soon as they receive instructions from Delhi. We have repeatedly raised the issue with higher authorities," Marasini said, adding that the matter had also been brought to the attention of the relevant ministries.
He said the canal could become operational only after intervention at the diplomatic level and suggested that the issue be raised during Prime Minister Balendra Shah's expected visit to India.
Officials from Nepal and India recently held discussions on the matter in Kathmandu. Marasini said the project office had also provided information requested by the concerned ministries and Indian authorities.
Under the Mahakali Treaty, India is required to supply Nepal with 300 cusecs of water during the dry season and 1,000 cusecs during the monsoon through the Tanakpur Barrage. India has already completed the 1,200-metre canal section required to carry water from Tanakpur to the Nepal border.
The Mahakali Irrigation Project's third phase began in fiscal year 2006/07 but progressed slowly due to inadequate funding. Construction gained momentum after the government designated it a national pride project in fiscal year 2019/20.
Once completed, the project will include 151 kilometres of canals and provide irrigation to 33,520 hectares of farmland in Kailali and Kanchanpur districts.
According to the project office, Rs 10.74 billion has been spent so far, with approximately Rs 2 billion allocated for the current fiscal year.
Despite the progress in construction, the absence of water from Tanakpur continues to prevent farmers in the initial 5,000-hectare command area from benefiting from the infrastructure.
