Koshi study project extension agreed

Kathmandu, Sept 30 : Nepal and India have agreed to extend the study period for the Nepal-India Joint Project for the Saptakoshi and the Sunkoshi Investigation.

According to Kantipur, during a high-level secretarial meeting of Nepal-India Joint Committee on Water Resource (JCWR) here on Monday, the deadline for the study was extended till December this year, as the project failed to make progress as planned due to hindrance from locals. In the four years since its establishment, only about 30 percent project work has been completed.

In the talk, the two side agreed to conduct a feasibility study of the 245 MW Naumure Hydro Electric Project on the Rapti River.

India had agreed to build the project on its own. This was reiterated during Prime Minister Prachanda's five-day India visit.

Both the countries are close to agreement on resolving all inundation issues through a powerful technical committee to be formed for the purpose. However, the proposal is yet to be finalised as the Nepali side has some reservations about it.

The three-day meeting will also decide on the issues of inundation along the Nepal-India border at the Laxamanpur barrage, the Mahalisagar, Rasiawal Khurdalotan and the Gandak river in Nawalparasi district.

It will also propose a working procedure for the formation of Nepal-India ministerial level committee.

The Indian delegation is headed by Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources Umesh N. Panjiyar and the Nepalese delegation by Water Resources Secretary Shanker Prasad Koirala.

Representatives from both countries are scheduled to visit the Saptakoshi areas today.

ANI