Nepal and India have consented to take into a final conclusion the detailed project report (DPR) of the much-awaited Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project in the next six months.

The 9th meeting of Nepal-India secretary-level Joint Commission on Water Resources (JCWR) concluded in Kathmandu on Friday, agreeing to extend the deadline of DPR preparation time till March 2023. Both the countries have also consented to hold the meeting of the experts group formed for the purpose in the next three months, according to Madhu Prasad Bhetuwal, Spokesperson of the the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation (MoEWRI).

The three-day talk focused on the water related issues of two countries. Apart from the Pancheshwar Project, the bilateral talk also discussed the construction of embankments in West Rapti, Badganga and Khado Rivers to reduce possible risks from floods in these rivers. Bhetuwal said two sides have reached agreement to build the embankments in grants of Indian government and necessary investment of Nepal.

The meetings also discussed constructing a high dam in Saptakoshi River. For the purpose of dam construction, both the countries have agreed to form a joint technical team in the next one year.

The consensus was also built to add experts in the joint team formed to exchange the information on matters of hydrology and meteorology of two countries. In addition, the JCWR also agreed to make effective the onsite inspection of the flood prone areas at Nepal-India borders.

Sagar Kumar Rai, Secretary of the MoEWRI led the Nepali team while Pankaj Kumar, Secretary of Indian Ministry of Water Resources led the Indian team in the 9th JCWR meeting.

Last time, the 8th meeting of the JCWR was held in New Delhi, India, on January 9-11, 2019. In the last three years and eight months that the 9th bilateral meeting in the segment was conducted by Nepal and India.