Nepal water Resources Department initiates dozens of irrigation and river control projects

The Department of Water Resources and Irrigation under the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation launched 102 tenders in the first two months of the current fiscal year to expand irrigation and manage river systems.

These tenders cover national pride projects, irrigation management, and groundwater irrigation projects. Excluding one large package valued at approximately 20.85 billion Nepali rupees, the 101 other tenders represent an estimated cost of 3.63 billion Nepali rupees.

The department aims to provide year-round water to farmers in the Terai region. To achieve this, officials issued 35 tenders for groundwater irrigation projects in Jhapa, Chitwan, Rupandehi, and Kailali, with an estimated cost of 31.70 million Nepali rupees. In Jhapa alone, 20 tenders were issued, and physical progress on the project reached 10 percent by the end of the month of Bhadra. The department plans to provide groundwater irrigation to 835 hectares by the end of Poush.

The department also secured a multi-year source agreement of 1.24 billion Nepali rupees from the Ministry of Finance for emergency river control works. Between the months of Ashar and Bhadra, the department finalized more than 80 emergency contracts totaling approximately 85.48 million Nepali rupees. These contracts cover river protection and infrastructure in various regions, including the Narayani River in Chitwan and the Kali Gandaki River in Mustang and Baglung.

The department plans to issue 282 more tenders by the end of Poush to expand irrigation facilities to an additional 2,549 hectares.