Government Aims to Complete National Pride Irrigation Projects Within Five Years
Summary
The government has set a five-year target to complete stalled national pride irrigation projects, with ministries pushing contractors and project chiefs to speed up work. Progress varies across six major projects, while land acquisition, contract delays, technical issues, and coordination problems continue to slow implementation.
Key Points
- The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation wants six long-delayed national pride irrigation projects completed within the next five years.
- Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha called project chiefs to the ministry, gave 32-point directives, and ordered them to end delays and submit action plans.
- Sunkoshi Marin, Bheri Babai, Sikta, Rani Jamara Kulariya, Babai, and Mahakali projects all have different levels of financial and physical progress, with several facing contract, land, and technical hurdles.
- The ministry plans day-night shifts, stricter monitoring, and budget coordination to accelerate construction and improve irrigation coverage in Nepal’s Terai and inner Terai regions.
