Government to Expand Irrigation, Resume Sunkoshi-Marin Diversion Construction

Kathmandu — Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has announced various projects and allocations for the irrigation infrastructure sector through the budget.

Wagle said irrigation facilities will be extended to an additional 15,800 hectares of arable land in the upcoming fiscal year, raising the proportion of irrigated arable land. On river control, he said 70 kilometres of embankment will be built and 210 hectares of land reclaimed.

The Finance Minister said irrigation will be provided to additional land under the Babai Irrigation Project in the coming fiscal year, the rehabilitation of the Rajapur Irrigation Project will be advanced, and the headworks construction of the Bheri-Babai Diversion Project will be completed. Funds have been allocated for these projects.

Wagle said an additional 6,000 hectares of land in eastern and western Banke will receive irrigation under the Sikta Irrigation Project, for which funds have been allocated.

He said construction of the dam and powerhouse of the Sunkoshi-Marin Diversion Project will be re-tendered and begun, with completion targeted within four years. Funds have been allocated for this.

The Finance Minister said funds have been allocated to upgrade the Bagmati Irrigation Project and, by using the additional water from the Sunkoshi-Marin Diversion, to extend irrigation to 122,000 hectares of arable land in Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Mahottari, and Dhanusha districts.

Wagle said the command area of the Mahakali Irrigation Project will be expanded, and the infrastructure of the Lamki section of the Rani-Jamara-Kulariya project will be developed. Funds have been allocated for these projects.

He said funds have been allocated to provide additional irrigation to land under the Greater Dang Valley Irrigation Project and the Praganna-Badkapath Irrigation Project.

The Finance Minister said the necessary preparations will be completed for the Naumure Multipurpose Irrigation Project to provide irrigation in Kapilvastu. The Banganga Irrigation Project will be rehabilitated and maintained, and a budget has been set aside for the rehabilitation of the Narayani Irrigation Project.

Wagle said funds have been allocated for the maintenance and rehabilitation of irrigation systems including Sunsari-Morang, Chandra Canal, Kamala, Narayani, Gandak, and the Koshi Pump.

He said funds have been allocated to provide underground irrigation to additional arable land in the Tarai-Madhesh not reached by surface irrigation, and the necessary funds have been arranged to provide underground irrigation using smart technology in Sarlahi and Dhanusha districts.

The Finance Minister said funds have been allocated to provide reliable irrigation through lift irrigation systems on cultivable terraces in hilly and Himalayan areas. He said lift irrigation projects on hill terraces will extend irrigation to additional land in the coming year.

Finally, Wagle said funds have been allocated for the management of large and medium rivers including the Mahakali, Karnali, Narayani, and Koshi.