Kathmandu, May 8
National Pride Project Sunkoshi Marine Diversion Multi-Purpose Project tunnel has made the breakthrough.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal made the breakthrough of the tunnel of the Sunkoshi Marine Diversion Multipurpose Project.
He said that after the implementation of this project, it will contribute qualitatively to the national economy at a programme held in Sindhuli on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Dahal expressed his belief that after the completion of the project, agricultural production will increase due to improvements in the irrigation system.
“The project located in Sindhuli district of Bagmati province will provide year-round irrigation facilities to the fertile land of five districts of Madhesh province, it will make a qualitative contribution to the national economy and produce hydroelectric power,” Prime Minister Dahal said, “Today the break-through of the tunnel has taken place, and the rest of the project will be completed on schedule.”
Mentioning that the Sunkoshi Marine Diversion Multi-Purpose Project is a transformative project of national pride, Prime Minister Dahal expressed his belief that when the projects are completed, they will contribute significantly to the goal of increasing productivity and prosperity. He said, “When the breakthrough of the tunnel was completed, we all got new energy and motivation. It has added enthusiasm to the construction of large infrastructure.”
Noting that the agricultural sector is the main backbone of Nepal’s economic development and contributes almost one-third to the total domestic product, Prime Minister Dahal said that the increase in agricultural production and productivity is indispensable for the country to be self-sufficient in the food supply, to ensure food security, economic upliftment and prosperity of the people, as well as to reduce poverty.
Stating that 60 per cent of Nepal’s arable land falls within the Terai Madhesh and Inner Madhesh, Prime Minister Prachanda said that the irrigation projects being developed and operated in the Terai-Madhesh region are based on the river flow system. Stating that the water of the glaciers should be used for agricultural production, he said that the same water source will be used for hydropower generation, drinking water and other purposes for the overall development of the nation.
The Sunkoshi Marine Diversion Multi-Purpose Project will transfer the water of the Sunkoshi River from the border of Sindhuli and Ramechhap districts through a 13.3 km long tunnel to the Marine River through the Bagmati River to the Bagmati Irrigation Project.
The main objective of the project is to provide irrigation facilities throughout the year in Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat and Bara with 45 thousand 600 hectares of land currently being irrigated.
