Lumbini: The Lumbini Province Government has announced significant advancements in the development of irrigation infrastructures.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the Province Government’s Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation reported that 403 irrigation dams and water sources have been constructed in the province to date. The Ministry also highlighted progress in the construction of concrete canals and feeder canals, with 832 kilometers of concrete canals completed. A total of 107 projects are currently operational under the lift irrigation system, with two new schemes added in the current fiscal year. Efforts have been focused on installing shallow and deep tube wells to enhance irrigation access.
Furthermore, 759 shallow tubewells and 232 deep tubewells have been installed. The number of pump houses has reached 386, and 82 projects have been electrified for irrigation purposes. The Ministry noted that 747 kilometers of pipeline have been laid as part of the pipeline expansion initiative.
Irrigation facilities have been extended to an additional 21,055 hectares, while irrigation infrastructure has been improved across 73,768 hectares in the province. A total of 211 kilometers of embankments have been constructed to prevent river erosion, reclaiming 2,632 hectares of land, protecting 14,119 hectares, and securing 17,498 households from erosion risks.
The Lumbini province government noted that irrigation facilities now cover 55 percent of the land. However, only 33 percent of the total irrigated land has access to irrigation services throughout the year.