Land Acquisition and Headworks Pose Major Challenges for National Pride Projects

Land acquisition and headworks construction have emerged as the biggest hurdles in most of Nepal’s national pride projects related to hydropower and irrigation, slowing down implementation, escalating costs, and delaying services for beneficiaries.

Out of the 27 national pride projects currently under implementation, seven are related to hydropower and irrigation under the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation. According to the energy ministry’s secretary, Sarita Dawadi, negligence by contractors, legal complications, and the projects’ location within protected areas have been key obstacles.

The third phase of the Mahakali Irrigation Project, which began in FY 2006/07, has achieved only 26.6 percent physical and 26.53 percent financial progress so far. Dawadi said the project faces issues due to unclear regulations on acquiring different land categories, including public land and land allotted to freed bonded laborers under temporary ownership documents. Compensation distribution has been hampered as the land users and the legal owners often differ.

She emphasized the need for diplomatic efforts with India to move forward with the procurement process for canal construction. Dawadi also recommended a special mechanism with a dedicated survey team to expedite land acquisition, cadastral mapping, and related processes for national pride and priority projects.

The Rani-Jamara-Kulariya Irrigation Project, which aims to provide year-round irrigation to 38,300 hectares of arable land, is also grappling with land acquisition issues. Launched in FY 2010/11 with a budget of Rs 12.37 billion, its cost has ballooned to Rs 29.59 billion as of FY 2024/25. Targeted for completion in FY 2028/29, the project has achieved 76 percent physical and 73 percent financial progress, according to the ministry.

The Babai Irrigation Project, initiated in FY 1988/89 to provide irrigation to 36,000 hectares of land in Bardiya district, is currently undergoing a master plan revision. The project has achieved 82.27 percent physical and 81.58 percent financial progress. Dawadi said the project’s headworks face electrification challenges, while its location within Bardiya National Park and the blackbuck conservation area has complicated construction and canal operation. Coordination with park authorities is ongoing for maintenance and operation of the headworks and canals.

The Bheri-Babai Diversion Multipurpose Project has also failed to meet its approved construction schedule due to contractor delays. Meanwhile, the Sikta Irrigation Project continues to face lengthy and contentious land acquisition processes due to outdated laws and lack of updated regulations.

The Budhigandaki Hydropower Project is also struggling with land acquisition and compensation disputes, while the Ministry of Finance has yet to approve its proposed financing model. Similarly, the Sunkoshi-Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project’s headworks, powerhouse, and surge shaft construction have achieved only 10.19 percent physical progress despite nearly half of the contract period having elapsed.

During a recent briefing to the National Concern and Coordination Committee under the National Assembly on the progress of these projects, the ministry urged coordination among all three tiers of government to facilitate construction.

Secretary Dawadi stressed the need for reliable lump-sum budget allocations, noting that lack of funds was not the primary issue but rather consistent and timely disbursement. Committee Chair Sonam Geljen Sherpa said the committee had directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to engage in necessary diplomatic efforts to expedite key projects.

During field inspections, committee members Jag Prasad Sharma, Narayan Dutta Mishra, Uday Bahadur Bohara, Rajendra Laxmi Gaire, and Gopi Bahadur Sarki Achhami expressed dissatisfaction with the progress, emphasizing the need for strong coordination, cooperation, and political will to complete the national pride projects on time. -- RSS