National Pride Projects in Nepal Face Delays and Cost Overruns
Summary
National pride irrigation projects in Banke, Bardia, and Surkhet districts face significant delays and cost overruns, threatening timely completion and limiting potential agricultural and economic benefits.
Key Points
- National pride projects in Nepal, especially irrigation projects like Sikta, Babai, and Bheri-Babai, face long delays and large cost increases.
- Sikta Irrigation Project (Banke) is only 46% complete after two decades with cost jumping from 12.80 billion to 52.89 billion rupees.
- Babai Irrigation Project (Bardia) has progressed 82% over 37 years but costs have surged 66 times from initial estimates.
- Bheri-Babai Diversion Multipurpose Project (Surkhet) is 69% complete with hydropower and irrigation goals; COVID-19 and other issues have delayed progress.
