Banke:The Sikta Irrigation Project, recognized as a national pride initiative, has reported a 51 percent completion in its infrastructure development. The project has commenced the process of collecting data from farmers who are current or potential water users to enhance water management strategies for targeted groups.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Project Director Raju Acharya stated that they are preparing a comprehensive list of farmers who currently benefit from the irrigation facilities within the project’s eastern and western belts. This list will also include future users, as becoming a registered water user is a prerequisite for accessing these irrigation services. The data collection process is approaching its final phase.
Based on the collected data, the project will determine the necessary expansions and infrastructure developments required for effective water management. Acharya further mentioned that discussions have been conducted with water users from the Pedari, Akalgharuwa, and Parsenipur branches under the Western Main Canal, as well as the trunk canal and Fattepur branch under the Eastern Main Canal, as part of the data collection efforts. The project has invested approximately Rs 24 billion so far in infrastructure development, with remaining activities anticipated to conclude within the next five years.
Initiated in the Nepali year 2062-63 BS, the project involves constructing a 317-meter barrage along the Rapti River at Agaiya of Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality in Banke. It aims to supply irrigation facilities to 42,766 hectares of land, with 33,766 hectares served via the western main canal and around 9,000 hectares through the eastern main canal. To date, irrigation has been extended to 25,000 hectares of land under this government-funded project.