KATHMANDU, June 7: Nepali Congress (NC) lawmaker Binod Chaudhary has announced that the Gandak Canal in western Nawalparasi is now fully operational, significantly expanding its irrigation coverage.
Built in 1982 (2039 BS), the canal was originally designed to irrigate 8,700 hectares of land. However, due to years of neglect and sediment buildup, it had been functioning at just 20 percent of its capacity.
Damage to irrigation amounts to Rs 2.42 billion
Sharing the update on X (formerly Twitter), Chaudhary wrote, “The Gandak (Nepali) Canal in western Nawalparasi, constructed in 2039 BS, was intended to irrigate 8,700 hectares. But due to poor maintenance and sedimentation, it was operating at only 20 percent capacity.”
After being elected from Nawalparasi-1 in 2022, Chaudhary had pledged to revitalise irrigation infrastructure in the region. “We invested Rs 350 million to install desiltation technology that prevents river sediment from entering the canal. As a result, the canal is now operating at full capacity, expanding irrigation coverage fivefold,” he stated.
The project is expected to bring substantial benefits to local farmers. “It gives me immense satisfaction to see the joy on farmers’ faces after restoring the full operation of the Nepali Canal,” Chaudhary added.
The official inauguration of the desiltation system is scheduled for June 9 (Jestha 26) and will be attended by the Minister for Energy.
