JICA to provide NPR 2.05 Billion Grant to rehabilitate the oldest Irrigation System in Nepal,
JICA Nepal and Government of Nepal concluded an agreement on the Grant Aid Project on The
Rehabilitation of Irrigation System in Eastern Terai in Nepal on September 21, 2022 where JICA
Shall extend a grant up to JPY 2.256 billion (approximately NPR 2.05 billion).
The objective of the Project is to achieve appropriate water distribution in Chandra Nahar Irrigation
Scheme by rehabilitating irrigation facilities, thereby contributing to increase agricultural
Production in the eastern Terai region. The project will be supporting for the rehabilitation of the
existing facilities in the target area and keeping the system sustainable through capacity
development for management and supervision regarding rehabilitated facilities. The command area
of the Chandra Nahar Irrigation System is 11,000 hectors, which directly benefits to 35,000
households for the irrigation facility in the said area.
Chandra Nahar Irrigation System is the oldest irrigation system in Nepal which was designed and
constructed between 1923 to 1927 AD by the British Engineers, during then Prime Minister
Chandra Samsher Jung Bahadur Rana to irrigate the low lands of Terai region of currently Saptari
district’s right bank side of Sapta Koshi River. The lunar canal built during the Rana period has
been in operation for more than 95 years and currently is in a dilapidated condition and not
functioning properly. The malfunctioning is mainly due to aging and lack of periodic operation and
maintenance. Thus, the entire system is in urgent need for overall system rehabilitation and further
capacity development of its Water User Associations is required in order to maintain the system.
The Government of Nepal duly sent a request to the Government of Japan for assistance in the
rehabilitation of irrigation facilities in the eastern Terai area.
The Exchange of Notes regarding the assistance was signed between Krishna Hari Pushkar ,
Secretary, Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Government of Nepal (GON) and
KIKUTA Yutaka, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal on behalf of the Government of Japan (GOJ).
Similarly, the Grant Agreement was signed between Ishwori Prasad Aryal, Joint Secretary,
International Economic Cooperation Coordination Division (IECCD), Ministry of Finance on
behalf of GON and OKUBO Akimitsu, Chief Representative of JICA Nepal Office on behalf of
JICA.
During the signing ceremony, Mr. OKUBO Akimitsu, Chief Representative of JICA Nepal said
that, "Through this project we not only aim to rehabilitate the irrigation system and strengthen the
capacity of the stakeholders but also preserve the pride and heritage of the first and the oldest
irrigation facility in Nepal.
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