India, Nepal to speed up construction of Pancheshwar dam

India and Nepal today tried to break a 15-year long impasse over a multipurpose 5,600 MW Pancheshwar dam and decided to speed up the construction of the mega project envisaged to bring irrigation and flood control benefits to both countries.
During a two-day Joint Technical Experts committee meeting, the officials from the two countries tried to sort out differences in finalising a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the project, an Indian delegate told PTI here.
The proposed DPR for the project on the Sarada river (Mahakali in Nepal) on the border, envisaged sharing of electricity and water between Nepal and India on fifty-fifty basis.

India and Nepal reached an initial agreement to develop the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project with the capacity to generate 5,600 MW of electricity, some 15 years ago, though work could not move forward mainly due to the ongoing political instability in Nepal.
During the meeting, the officials also discussed matters relating to water resources, irrigation, water sharing and flood control mechanism including the preparation of the DPR for the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project.
They discussed the matters relating to establishing a joint Pancheshwar Development Authority for moving forward works relating to developing the project.

The joint team also discussed issues relating carrying out investigation into the Kosi Project among other things.

They stressed on the need for expediting works relating to embankments in Bagmati, Kamala and Lalbakaiya rivers situated in southern Nepal.
The embankments in two rivers are expected to complete by the next monsoon season, said Bibhas Kumar, chairman, Ganga Flood Control Commission of India, who was leading the eight member Indian delegation.
The Nepalese delegation, comprising 13 members, was led by Shiva Kumar Sharma, Director General, Department of Irrigation.