Sunkoshi-Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project Stalls Despite Early Tunnel Breakthrough

The Sunkoshi–Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project has failed to make overall progress despite the completion of its main tunnel ahead of schedule, as delays in other components forced the government to terminate the main construction contract.

The 13.1-kilometre tunnel, excavated using a tunnel boring machine (TBM), was completed on May 8, 2024, nearly a year before the contractual deadline. However, construction of other key structures—including headworks, the powerhouse, civil works and the supply and installation of hydromechanical equipment—lagged far behind schedule, preventing the project from moving forward.

As a result, the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation terminated the contract with the construction firm Patel–Raman JV on November 24 after the contractor failed to complete the agreed work packages on time.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Kul Man Ghising said the decision was taken after only 10 percent of work was completed despite 60 percent of the contract period having elapsed.

The national pride project aims to divert water from the Sunkoshi River to the Marin River to provide irrigation facilities to around 120,000 hectares of land in Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat and Bara districts through the Bagmati Irrigation Project, while also generating 31 MW of electricity.

“Although the tunnel of the Rs 14 billion project has been completed, the failure to progress other structures forced us to terminate the contract,” Minister Ghising said. He added that contract evaluation is underway and a new bidding process will be initiated soon, though uncertainty remains over the project’s completion timeline.

The current government has been terminating stalled contracts across several departments, including those under the Department of Roads, the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation, and the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction. According to the ministry, 22 problematic contracts worth Rs 14.22 billion under the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation have been terminated so far, including the Sunkoshi–Marin project.

Four stalled contracts under the Ministry of Urban Development have also been cancelled. Minister Ghising said the government has begun fresh procurement processes for the terminated projects to ensure they do not remain abandoned.