Sikta Irrigation Project records 51 pc progress as beneficiary data collection nears completion

RANJHA, BANKE: Sikta Irrigation Project has recorded 51% physical progress. The national pride project is also in the final stage of collecting data on farmers and water users to support irrigation management and future infrastructure expansion.

The project has begun compiling details of farmers currently using irrigation services under its eastern and western canal systems, as well as prospective beneficiaries. Project Director Raju Acharya said membership as a water user is mandatory for accessing irrigation facilities, and the data collection process has reached its final stage.

According to Acharya, the collected data will be used to determine the project’s expansion and the construction of required infrastructure for irrigation water management. Discussions have been held 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 drive.

The project has spent around Rs 24 billion on infrastructure construction so far. The remaining works are expected to be completed within the next five years.

Initiated in fiscal year 2005/06, the project includes the construction of a 317-metre barrage across the Rapti River at Agaiya in Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality of Banke.

The Sikta Irrigation Project aims to provide irrigation facilities to 42,766 hectares of land. Of the total target, 33,766 hectares are to be irrigated through the western main canal and around 9,000 hectares through the eastern main canal with government funding.

According to Acharya, irrigation facilities have so far been extended to 25,000 hectares of land.

(With input from RSS)