Bheri Water Lifting Project witnesses progress in pipeline expansion

BY RAJANI YOGI,Surkhet, Sept. 6: The pipeline expansion work under the Bheri River Water Lifting Project to bring water from the Bheri River to the Birendranagar Valley is making a swift progress. 

According to the Water Supply Sectoral Infrastructure Support Project, a total of 35 kilometres of pipeline is planned to be laid within the valley. So far, seven kilometres have already been completed.

Project Chief Sanjeev Kumar Shah said that the work under the first package is moving forward at full speed. The pipeline extension has been completed in the Chanoute area of Ward No. 11. Starting Wednesday, work began in the Dharapani area of Ward No. 1. Meanwhile, pipeline work in Ward No. 7 has been halted due to a land dispute, but work is going on in Ghusra, Ward No. 10.

Shah stated that the goal is to complete the pipeline expansion across all designated areas within the current fiscal year. Alongside pipeline installation, tree-cutting activities in the project-affected areas will also begin. Coordination with the Division Forest Office in Surkhet is underway to cut about 1,400 trees for project construction. The affected areas fall within the community forests of Birendranagar Municipality-11 and Lekbeshi Municipality-10. Efforts are underway to obtain approval for tree clearance in these regions.

As part of the project, three water treatment centres will be constructed in Amrit Danda, Birendranagar-11. These centres will collectively have the capacity to treat 9 million litres of water. Water from the Bheri River will be directly pumped to Amrit Danda.

Despite the progress, the overall construction work has not yet gained the expected momentum. Since its commencement, the project has achieved only 12 per cent physical progress. While pipeline work is currently underway, tree cutting is expected to begin in the coming days. Preparations have also begun for the construction of the water treatment centres and intake structures soon.

Birendranagar Mayor Mohanmaya Dhakal confirmed that the project is now moving forward rapidly, including pipeline installation and water tank construction works. The municipality has allocated a budget of Rs. 100 million for this fiscal year to support the project. The construction is being carried out in coordination with all three tiers of government: federal, provincial, and local. 

Mayor Dhakal emphasised that they have a goal to complete the project on time and resolve the valley’s drinking water crisis. The Karnali Provincial Government has also prioritised the project.

Launched in the fiscal year 2022/2023, the Bheri River Water Lifting Project falls under the World Bank-funded “Water Supply Sectoral Governance and Infrastructure Support Project.” With a total cost of USD 100 million, it is a collaborative effort among the federal, provincial, and local governments.

Water will be pumped from the intake constructed on the Bheri River to Amrit Danda in Birendranagar-1, some seven kilometres away. In the first phase, water flow will be diverted to an intake structure built approximately 10 metres. The main water transmission line will be laid from the tank to Birendranagar during this phase.

In the second phase, there is a plan to extend the transmission line along both sides of the Ratna Highway and the Surkhet-Jumla Road, which pass through the Birendranagar Valley.