Aagya Khabar
Sindhuli
The much-anticipated Sunkoshi–Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project, envisioned to bring transformative changes to irrigation, drinking water, and energy in the Madhes region, still remains entangled under the banner of a ‘National Pride’ project. Seven years into its construction, the project has only covered half the distance to its goal — and that too at a sluggish pace.
Starting from Dhungrebans (Khurkot) in Sunkoshi Rural Municipality-8 of Sindhuli and stretching to Marin Khola in Kamalamai Municipality-2, the project has stalled after the completion of a 13.316-kilometer tunnel section. Overall physical progress currently stands at just 36.83 percent.
The project, which began in the fiscal year 2076/77 BS (2019/20 AD), was expected to be completed within ten years. Although the second phase commenced in Magh 2079 BS (early 2023 AD), only 10.13 percent of that work has been completed so far. Patel-Raman JV Pvt. Ltd., the contractor for the second phase, has drawn concern from government agencies due to the slow progress.
On Saturday, a team including Madhes Province Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh, Minister for Physical Infrastructure Saroj Kumar Yadav, and Minister for Energy and Irrigation Shesh Narayan Yadav visited the project site for an on-site inspection.
“This project is a beacon of hope for the Madhes region, which is suffering from severe water scarcity,” said Chief Minister Singh. “But the current sluggish pace is disheartening.”
The provincial government is preparing to formally submit a report to the federal government regarding the project’s progress and challenges.
Compared to the first phase, executed by Chinese company China Overseas Engineering Group, the second phase has seen extremely slow advancement. As a result, discussions have begun on the need to revisit the agreement, which reportedly had special backing from former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
Minister Saroj Kumar Yadav warned, “If the agreement terms are not met on time, we may be compelled to terminate the contract and seek alternatives.”
The project, with an estimated cost of NPR 49.42 billion, aims to provide year-round irrigation to 122,000 hectares of land in five districts of Madhes Province. It also targets the generation of 31.07 megawatts of hydropower.
According to Senior Divisional Engineer Ashok Raj Gautam, the project is expected to generate NPR 10.3 billion annually from agriculture and NPR 1.55 billion from electricity. To date, over NPR 16.5 billion has already been spent.
Due to the lack of water and soil fertility, agriculture and daily life in Madhes are under threat. Completion of the Sunkoshi–Marin project is seen as vital to ushering in a revolution in agricultural productivity in the region. However, at the current pace, the project’s completion remains uncertain.
With increasing pressure to complete the project on time, provincial leaders are now emphasizing the need to implement the so-called ‘National Pride’ project with urgency. Local residents, elected officials, and experts alike believe that clear timelines, regular monitoring, and the removal of political interference are essential for meaningful progress.
The Sunkoshi–Marin project represents a dream of bringing water to the fields of Madhes, but it has been suspended in the blueprint phase for far too long. Without accountability, political commitment, and administrative activism, this ‘Pride’ project risks remaining nothing more than a banner with unfulfilled promises.
