Kanchanpur: The Mahakali Irrigation Project, which began 18 years ago, has only seen 22 percent physical progress to date.
Residents are disheartened by the slow pace of the national pride project, which remains incomplete nearly two decades after its inception. Launched in 2063 BS, the project has managed to complete just 28 kilometers of the main canal so far.
Originally estimated to cost Rs 35 billion, the project has expended Rs 7.68 billion thus far. Despite its goal to irrigate 33,520 hectares in Kanchanpur and Kailali districts, progress has been sluggish due to issues like budget constraints.
Currently, 22 sub-canals are under construction in the area where the main canal has been completed. However, the 28-kilometer canal has yet to be operational. Senior Engineer Lekhnath Subedi of the Mahakali Irrigation-third phase project explained that water has not been released due to the Indian side’s requirement for a formal inauguration before water can be supplied.
Subedi noted, “We have already informed our higher office about this issue.”
Divisional Engineer Subedi reported that the project has achieved only 22 percent progress so far. According to a decision made on February 11, 2021, a canal extending up to Malakheti in Kailali is expected to be completed by the fiscal year 2030/31.
Subedi mentioned that only Rs 2 billion has been allocated for the project in the current fiscal year, a sum he described as inadequate. He emphasized that with a proper budget and resolution of disputes over compensation and forest land use, the project could meet its deadline.
Last fiscal year, a contract was given to build a canal from 28.8 kilometers to 48.3 kilometers of the project in five separate packages.
Several issues have hindered progress, including insufficient budget, disputes over compensation, and challenges related to forest land use.
To date, 28.9 kilometers of the 151-kilometer main canal has been constructed. There are 22 branch canals being built around the main canal, which are expected to irrigate 5,200 hectares of land by the next fiscal year.
Ultimately, the project aims to irrigate a total of 33,520 hectares in Kailali and Kanchanpur districts.
Due to the absence of irrigation facilities, only 43 percent of the rice fields in Kanchanpur district had paddy planted by mid-July. Out of the 161,741 hectares of arable land in Kanchanpur, only 59,602 hectares are currently in use for farming.
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