The government has set ambitious deadlines to complete six long-delayed national pride irrigation projects, with completion targeted within the next two to five years.
The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation has prepared an action plan following a review of the projects’ progress, challenges and implementation status. The Babai Irrigation and Bheri-Babai Diversion projects are expected to be completed within two years, while the Sikta Irrigation, Rani Jamara-Kulariya Irrigation and Sunkoshi-Marin Diversion projects have been given a five-year completion target. The Mahakali Irrigation Project is scheduled for completion by FY 2034/35.
The Babai Irrigation Project in Bardiya, initiated in FY 1988/89, is in its final stage. With an estimated cost of Rs 26.69 billion, it has achieved 81.97 percent physical progress and 68.23 percent financial progress. The project aims to irrigate 36,000 hectares.
The Bheri-Babai Diversion Project in Surkhet has an estimated cost of Rs 33.20 billion and has achieved 66.4 percent physical progress. The government plans to complete it within two years.
The Sikta Irrigation Project in Banke, estimated at Rs 53 billion, has reached 51 percent physical progress and is expected to be completed within five years. Once completed, it aims to provide irrigation to 42,700 hectares.
The Rani Jamara-Kulariya Irrigation Project in Kailali has achieved 75 percent physical progress and aims to irrigate 38,300 hectares. It is also generating 4.7 MW of electricity. Land acquisition and difficulties in obtaining construction materials remain major challenges.
The Mahakali Irrigation Project in Kanchanpur has an estimated cost of around Rs 37 billion but has achieved only about 31 percent physical progress. It aims to provide irrigation to 33,500 hectares. Land acquisition and uncertainty over water allocation from India under the Mahakali Treaty remain key challenges.
Meanwhile, the Sunkoshi-Marin Diversion Project, with an estimated cost of Rs 61.65 billion, has achieved 34 percent physical progress. Following the cancellation of a major contract, a new bid worth around Rs 24 billion has been invited, with the submission deadline set for August 26. The project is targeted for completion within five years and has a command area of 122,000 hectares.
The ministry attributed delays primarily to slow performance by contractors and repeated expansion of project scopes. It has now pledged stronger coordination, clearer implementation timelines and improved budget management to ensure the projects are completed within their revised deadlines.
