Land acquisition and the construction of ‘headworks’ have emerged as major issues in most of the national pride hydropower and irrigation projects. Due to the slow pace of implementation of such projects, costs have increased, and beneficiaries have been deprived of access to the services.

Currently, out of the 27 national pride projects being implemented in the country, seven are related to hydropower and irrigation. According to Sarita Dawadi, Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, these projects face challenges such as contractor negligence, location within protected areas, and legal complications.

The Mahakali Irrigation Project, which began in the fiscal year 2006/07, has achieved a physical progress of 26.60 percent and financial progress of 26.53 percent in its third phase so far. Dawadi mentioned that the project has faced problems due to the lack of clear regulations regarding land acquisition, including public land and “Seto Purja” (land given to freed Kamaiyas). According to her, issues have arisen in compensation distribution because the land occupants and the actual owners of the official land titles differ.

According to Secretary Dawadi, since it is currently not possible to proceed with the procurement process required for canal construction, there is a need to initiate diplomatic efforts with the neighboring country, India. She stated that for national pride and priority projects, special arrangements should be made to complete land acquisition tasks (such as land plotting and valuation), and a separate survey team should be deployed.

The Rani–Jamara–Kulariya Irrigation Project, launched with the goal of providing year-round irrigation to a total of 38,300 hectares of arable land, has also encountered problems related to land acquisition. Initiated in the fiscal year 2010/2011 with a budget of NPR 12.37 billion, the project’s cost has now reached NPR 29.59 billion as of fiscal year 2024/25. According to the ministry, the project is targeted for completion by fiscal year 2028/29, and it has achieved 76 percent physical progress and 73 percent financial progress so far.

The Babai Irrigation Project, which began in the fiscal year 1988/89, is currently undergoing a master plan revision. Aimed at providing year-round irrigation to 36,000 hectares of arable land in Bardiya district to enhance agricultural production, productivity, and employment, the project has achieved 82.27 percent physical progress and 81.58 percent financial progress so far, according to Secretary Dawadi. She stated that the project is facing issues related to electrification in the operation and management of its headworks.

Similarly, since the project area falls within the Bardiya National Park and the Blackbuck Conservation Area, challenges have also arisen in construction and canal operation. Secretary Dawadi mentioned that coordination is ongoing with the park administration to facilitate the operation and maintenance of the headworks and canals.

The ministry has stated that the contractor of the Bheri–Babai Diversion Multipurpose Project has not carried out construction according to the approved schedule. Regarding the Sikta Irrigation Project, Secretary Dawadi said that the absence of timely land acquisition laws and regulations has made the land acquisition process cumbersome, controversial, and time-consuming.

The ministry has stated that the lack of a prompt resolution of court cases has created uncertainty in the implementation of upcoming programs. It also mentioned that the financial investment framework, proposed with two options for the construction of the Budhigandaki Hydropower Project, has not been approved by the Ministry of Finance, and there are ongoing disputes related to land acquisition and compensation.

Similarly, in the Sunkoshi–Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project, around 50 percent of the contract period for the construction of the headworks, powerhouse, and surge shaft has already passed, yet the physical progress is only 10.19 percent, according to ministry data. On Friday, while briefing the Federalism Strengthening and National Concerns Committee under the National Assembly about the progress and current status of these projects, the ministry expressed its expectation for coordination and facilitation from all three levels of government.

Secretary Dawadi emphasized the need for reliable and lump-sum allocation of the budget, even though there is no shortage of funds. Committee Chairperson Sonam Geljen Sherpa informed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been instructed to undertake diplomatic efforts to accelerate the construction of essential projects.

Committee members Jagprasad Sharma, Narayandatta Mishra, Uday Bahadur Bohara, Rajendralakshmi Gaire, and Gopibahadur Sarki Achhami stated during their field visit that the progress of the projects has not been satisfactory. They emphasized the need for coordination, collaboration, and determination among various agencies and levels of government to complete the national pride projects on time.