Sikta Irrigation Project makes 41% physical progress

By Our Correspondent,Khajura (Banke), Jan. 4: The 'national pride' Sikta Irrigation Project in Banke district has achieved just 41 per cent physical progress in 19 years since its construction began. During this period, Rs. 21.55 billion has been spent on the project.

The project was launched in the Fiscal Year 2004/05 and its physical construction began in 2005/06. By the current FY 2024/25, overall progress stands at 41.79 per cent. 

Initially estimated to cost Rs. 7.45 billion, the budget of the project has been revised three times which ultimately puts the cost at Rs. 52.89 billion. The first revision in 2007 raised the cost to Rs. 12.8 billion, followed by an increase to Rs. 25.02 billion in 2014, and finally to Rs. 52.89 billion in 2022. The project now is estimated to be completed in FY 2032/33. 

As of mid-December 2024, of the Rs. 1.6 billion allocated for the current fiscal year, Rs. 230 million has been utilised so far.

The project will divert water from the Rapti River at Agaiya to irrigate 42,766 hectares of land through two main canals - the Western Canal (33,766 hectares) and the Eastern Canal (9,000 hectares). According to Project Engineer, Binesh Shrestha, irrigation facility has reached to 21,000 hectares in the past 19 years, with 17,000 hectares covered by the Western Canal and 4,000 hectares by the Eastern Canal.

Construction of the Western Canal has reached 45.25 kilometres, while 37.68 kilometres of the Eastern Canal’s planned 53.50 kilometres is finished. Approximately 60 per cent of work on the Western Canal’s branch, sub-branch, and distributary channels has been completed. Likewise, four lift irrigation systems in Kachanapur, Balapur, and Dhakeri are near completion to provide irrigation to higher-altitude land in Rapti Sonari.

However, land acquisition for canal construction is lagging with the acquisition of only 175 hectares of the 440 hectares required. 

Meanwhile, the project has finalised cost estimates for the Western Canal’s Duduwa branch and initiated the bidding process. Likewise, preparatory work including environmental studies and design for extending the Eastern Canal to Narainapur is complete and contract management is underway. 

The project is also forming user committees and progressing with branch canal construction at Guruwagaun, Akalgharwa, Parsenipur, Gohawa, and Pidari, achieving around 60 per cent progress.