The “Sikta Irrigation Project“—a national pride project—was proposed and has been undergoing construction on the Rapti River at Agaiya in Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality, Banke District, Lumbini Province. Its primary aim is to provide reliable irrigation facilities across a total of 42,766 hectares of land, benefiting six rural municipalities, Kohalpur Municipality, and Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City within the same district. Initiated in the fiscal year 2004/05 by the Government of Nepal using its own resources, the project covers a command area of 33,766 hectares on the western side and 9,000 hectares on the eastern side of the Rapti River.

Early Challenges: Funding

The Sikta Irrigation Project was initially studied between 1975 and 1976 through a pre-feasibility study conducted by a German consulting firm with support from the UNDP and ADB. A feasibility study in 1980 confirmed its viability, but the project faced delays due to a lack of consent from India, which led to the ADB’s refusal to provide financial assistance. A re-feasibility study was conducted in 1983 by the Department of Irrigation, followed by another study in 2002, supported by the European Union, which reaffirmed its technical and financial feasibility. This ultimately led to the decision to proceed with implementation.

According to the feasibility study, the total cost of the project was estimated at NPR 7.45 billion at that time, with an initial implementation period of seven years. Despite interest from donor organisations, the project failed to secure external funding, prompting the Government of Nepal to finance it internally.

When the project began in FY 2007/08, it was estimated to be built at an average cost of NPR 12 billion with a completion target of 2014/15. However, a revised plan in 2014 increased the cost to NPR 25.2 billion, with delays pushing the completion target to 2020. By 2023, the estimated cost had risen to NPR 52.64 billion, with a new completion target approved by the Ministry of Energy.

What’s the Progress So Far?

According to Er Tanuj Dulal of the Sikta Irrigation Project, as of now, only 42 per cent of the physical work has been completed. This includes the construction of headworks, which involved both civil and hydro-mechanical works essential to the project’s foundation. The West Main Canal has been completed over a stretch of 45.25 km, playing a crucial role in the irrigation system. The West Main Canal is further connected by four branches: Akalgharwa (4.6 km), Gohwa (2.05 km), Prasenipur (9.25 km), and Pidari (4.1 km), enabling the distribution of water to different regions.

In the current fiscal year (2079/80), various construction works are underway. The Shidhaniya Branch is being extended to 19.6 km, with plans for completion within the fiscal year. Progress is also being made on the East Main Canal, which began in the fiscal year 2074/75. This includes the construction of the main canal with concrete structures up to chainage 37+675 and an earthen canal up to chainage 44+900. Additionally, multiple branch canals, including Rajkulo, S1, S2, S3, S4, and Phattepur, are expected to be completed by February of this fiscal year.

However, land acquisition for canal construction remains slow, with only 175 hectares acquired out of the required 440 hectares. Meanwhile, the project has finalised cost estimates for the Western Canal’s Duduwa branch and initiated the bidding process, which was under study in the previous fiscal year. Preparatory work, including environmental studies and design for extending the Eastern Canal to Narainapur, has been completed, and contract management is underway.

The project is also forming user committees and advancing branch canal construction in Guruwagaun, Akalgharwa, Parsenipur, Gohawa, and Pidari, achieving around 60 per cent progress.

Corruption Allegations VS Poor Soil Quality: Contemporary Challenges

The Sikta Irrigation Project has faced multiple challenges since its inception. Issues such as securing funds, project initiation, canal collapses, corruption allegations, and land acquisition hurdles have hindered progress. As a result, the intended beneficiaries are yet to fully receive the benefits.

Sikta Barrage at Agaiya

The project suffered repeated canal collapses due to the failure to test the dissoluble soil during its design in 2016, 2017, and 2018. A government investigation revealed that this oversight led to structurally weak canals. Despite repairs, collapses occurred again in 2016 and 2018, raising concerns about the project’s quality and effectiveness. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed a case against 21 defendants, including Bikram Pandey, the operator of Kalika Construction JV, and other officials. The Special Court initially acquitted all defendants, attributing the canal collapses to the dissoluble soil rather than individual accountability.

The CIAA appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that the Special Court’s judgement was flawed. The Supreme Court ordered the defendants to respond within 15 days, as it found that the evidence had not been properly evaluated. The CIAA claims that corruption amounting to NPR 2.13 billion occurred due to poor supervision and faulty design and is seeking compensation from project officials and contractors.

Who’s to Benefit from the Sikta Irrigation Project?

The Sikta Irrigation Project is expected to benefit seventeen thousand households in the district, comprising 400,000 farmers. The estimated internal rate of return is 18 per cent, with an increase in crop density from 168 per cent to 242 per cent. According to a report, approximately 60 per cent of the population owns either no land or small farms of less than 0.5 hectares. The average landholding in the project area is 0.84 hectares, making irrigation investments crucial.

The project remains incomplete and in a disorganised state. Despite its shortcomings, farmers have benefited from a more reliable water source for irrigation, allowing greater control over their crops compared to rain-fed agriculture. However, the risk of cattle falling into the canal remains a significant concern.

Farmers using a pump-set to extract water from Sikta Canal at Banke

According to a local resident, Bishnu Prasad Dhakal from Banke, “Although many years have passed, the project remains incomplete, causing difficulties for the public. For irrigation, a personal pump set is required to make it profitable; otherwise, it is not useful. Occasionally, cattle fall into the canal due to its depth and drown. People have lost their livestock at times. While the canal is covered in the market area, it remains open here.”

Another resident, Kumari Tharu shared a different perspective: “It has been very helpful. Now, we only need to get a pump set to irrigate our fields. Before, we had to wait for rain or find alternative means, but now we can irrigate whenever needed. If there is no water in the canal, we can simply contact the office, and they will release it. It’s really beneficial.”

Way Forward:

Stakeholders have emphasised the urgent need to resolve the issues hindering the Sikta Irrigation Project at the local level. This nationally significant project has faced delays of over two decades due to several obstacles. Local communities are demanding the project be expedited without further delays. In discussions with the Infrastructure Development Committee of the House of Representatives, both stakeholders and locals urged prompt action to accelerate progress.

According to Ward 22 Chairman, Abdul Gaffar Halwai, “The Sikta Project is one of the most significant irrigation projects and will surely benefit the public. However, the problem that persists is its failure to deliver water. People frequently complain about this, and we have been vocal about it as well. Hopefully, it will be resolved soon.”

In the previous fiscal year, the project achieved 92 per cent progress of its targeted outcomes. As per the latest updates, the project is expected to be completed by the fiscal year 2032/33, according to the revised master plan.