Date:17/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/17/stories/2008091760901200.htm

National

Pact on water management mechanism

Gargi Parsai

NEW DELHI: With the visiting Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) signalling a desire to expedite work on the outstanding water projects between India and Nepal, the two sides on Tuesday agreed to set up a three-tier joint water management mechanism.

There will be a ministerial-level Joint Rivers Commission, under which there will be a Secretary-level joint committee and then project-level technical committees for each project.

This was agreed upon at a bi-lateral meeting between Nepal Water Resources Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel and Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz.

The agreement was hailed by Mr. Soz as “a new era of mutual cooperation and trust in water management.”

The immediate focus, against the backdrop of the recent devastating floods in Nepal, would be on the Saptakosi high dam project, Sunkosi diversion scheme and the Kamla dam project at a combined estimated cost of Rs. 38,000 crore.

The Nepalese Minister assured the government of providing the necessary cooperation, including security, to the field staff to complete the preparation of Detailed project Reports (DPR) in the minimum possible time.

The Rs. 30,000 crore Pancheshwar multi-purpose project on the Mahakali river that would generate 5,600 MW power was in advanced stage of preparation.

A Project Development Authority is being set up to expedite this mega project—envisaged under the Mahakali Treaty of 1966 – that would benefit both the countries. The project provides for irrigation of 16 lakh hectares on the Indian side.

Nepal has sought India’s cooperation in construction of 190 meter-high Naumure hydro-power dam on the Rapti river that would generate 240 MW. Its estimated cost is Rs. 2500 crore.

According to sources in the Water Resources Ministry, Commissioner (Ganga) S.P. Kakran will visit Nepal next week to finalise the details of the projects and conduct inspection of sites. This would be followed by a visit of the Secretary, Water Resources.

At a lunch hosted by JD(U) president Sharad Yadav for Mr. Prachanda, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said the Nepal Prime Minister was “very positive” about completing water projects that would “to a large extent” tame the Kosi and help the State rid of perennial flooding.