Koshi study project extension agreed

NEPAL-INDIA WATER TALKS

BY THIRA L BHUSAL
KATHMANDU, Sept 30

Top officials of Nepal and India in bilateral talks here today have agreed to extend the study period for the Nepal-India Joint Project for Saptakoshi, Sunkoshi Investigation.

The joint project office was established on Aug. 17, 2004 in Biratnagar to carry out field investigations and prepare a detailed project report. The project was given 30 months to carry out its study, at the time of its establishment.

The latest deadline for the study was extended till Dec. 2008 as the project failed to make progress as planned due to hindrances from locals. In the four years since its establishment, only about 30 percent project work has been completed.

The two sides in the talks also agreed to conduct a feasibility study of the 245 MW Naumure Hydro Electric Project on the Rapti River.

India has announced it is ready to build the project on its own. This was reiterated during Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's five-day India visit starting Sept. 14.

Though dates and other details are yet to be finalized, both sides have agreed to extend the study period of the Sapta Koshi Sun Koshi Investigation project and to conduct the feasibility study for Naumure Hydro Project, said a highly-placed government source at the Ministry of Water Resources.

The two 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 source said.

Inundation along the Nepal-India border at Laxamanpur barrage, Mahalisagar, Rasiawal Khurdalotan and the Gandak river in Nawalparasi district are items on the agenda.
Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources Shankar Prasad Koirala is the head of the Nepali team and India's Secretary of Water Resources Umesh Narayan Panjiar is leading the Indian delegation.

Representatives from both countries are scheduled to visit the Sapta Koshi areas on Tuesday. The issue of recurring Koshi floods figured prominently during discussions. Talks will take place in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

THE KATHMANDU POST