Mahakali Irrigation Project: Rs 9 billion spent, only 27% progress in 18 years

Mahendranagar: The Mahakali Irrigation Project, launched 18 years ago to irrigate 33,520 hectares of land in Kanchanpur and Kailali, has achieved only 27 percent progress despite an investment of Rs 9 billion.

Senior Division Engineer Rajesh Bhakta Pokharel said the project has been delayed due to budget shortages, land compensation disputes, and issues in managing forest areas. Construction of the 19-kilometer main canal to Malakheti in Kailali is ongoing under a Rs 1.97 billion contract, while 28.8 kilometers of canal have been completed from Brahmadev to Phuleli in Shuklaphanta Municipality.

Under the Mahakali Treaty, India has already built a 1,200-meter canal from Tanakpur to the Nepal-India border. The project aims to extend the canal to Malakheti by 2087 BS.