Mahakali irrigation canal ready to serve 5,000 hectares, but farmers await water from India

Kanchanpur, November 1, 2026 — Infrastructure built to irrigate 5,000 hectares of farmland under the third phase of the Mahakali Irrigation Project has been completed, but farmers cannot access water because India has yet to release supplies from the Tanakpur Barrage.

The 28-kilometre main canal, extending from Brahmadev to Phuleli in Shuklaphanta Municipality, was completed several years ago. Of the 22 branch canals planned to connect the main canal to farmland, 14 have been completed, while work on the remaining eight is nearing completion.

Despite a trial conducted four years ago, the canal has remained dry. During the trial, water released from Tanakpur reached the canal, and farmers marked National Paddy Day. No water has flowed through the canal since then.

Project Director Ganesh Marasini said repeated requests to the Indian side had failed to secure a regular supply. He said the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), which operates the Tanakpur facility, had not agreed to release water.

“NHPC officials tell us they will release water as soon as they receive instructions from Delhi. We have repeatedly raised the issue with higher authorities,” Marasini said. He added that the matter had also been brought to the attention of the relevant ministries.

Marasini said the canal could become operational only after diplomatic-level intervention. He suggested raising the issue during Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s expected visit to India.