A canal is to be constructed at Dodhara-Chadani, two Nepali villages across the Mahakali River in Kanchanpur, after a hiatus of two-and-a-half decades after the signing of the Mahakali Treaty between Nepal and India.

Nepal has initiated preparations to construct the canal after 27 years of the treaty.

According to the Mahakali Treaty, India was obliged to provide Nepal 350 cusec water for irrigation in Dodhara-Chadani. For this, India has to construct an 1,100-meter long canal from the Sharada canal to the Nepal border. But, India is yet to construct the canal on its side of the border.

Nepal has started preparations to construct its canal at Dodhara-Chadani this year. India has remained hesitant to provide water for irrigation to Dodhara-Chadani from the Sharada Barrage even after 27 years have elapsed since the Treaty was signed.

Also, India has to construct other structures along the 1,100-meter-long canal on Nepal-India border.

Though the project has started constructing the third phase of Mahakali irrigation project from Brahmadev region since one and a half decade ago, the issue of building a canal at Dodhara-Chadani has not received priority.

Senior Divisional Engineer of the Mahakali Irrigation Project Third Phase Shambhu Pandit said preparations have been made to construct the canal on the Nepali side of the border this year. "The Indian side has, however, not made any move to construct the canal and other structures as per its obligation," he added.