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Photo: TRN Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha and officials during 73rd Irrigation Day programme.

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has said that irrigation projects such as Sikta, Bheri–Babai, Rani Jamara Kulariya, and Sunkoshi–Marin will no longer be left incomplete or neglected.

Addressing a programme organised on the occasion of the 73rd Irrigation Day on Wednesday, he said that preparations are underway to complete the re-procurement process of the Sunkoshi–Marin Diversion Multiple Purpose project within 90 days.

He also said that the Bheri–Babai Diversion Multipurpose project is targeted to be completed within two years.

Minister Shrestha said that the government has given priority to the repair, restoration, and management improvement of large irrigation systems such as Gandak, Narayani, Bagmati, and Sunsari–Morang irrigation projects.

He urged stakeholders to identify real obstacles, saying, “Where are the actual barriers? Inform us, and we will try to resolve them.”

He added that the technical knowledge of employees cannot be replaced by any policy document and expressed his intention to work in partnership rather than merely enforcing directives.

He emphasised that irrigation will no longer be viewed solely as a means of supplying water to fields but will be developed as an integrated system linking water with energy, food security, environment, and livelihoods.

“Water does not recognise which ministry or department is responsible for energy, irrigation, or agriculture,” he said, stressing that coordination among ministries and agencies is essential to remove obstacles.

He also said that issues such as downstream benefits, flood control, and benefits for riverbank communities have been incorporated into the ministry’s policies.

Minister Shrestha urges fast-track action to meet fiscal-year plans

Meanwhile, Minister Shrestha emphasised the need to expedite plans and programmes that can be completed within the remaining period of the current fiscal year.

During discussions with the leadership of the Nepal Electricity Authority, the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat, and the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre, he instructed subordinate bodies to prepare a checklist of tasks that need immediate action.

Although he said he is not in favour of budget transfer, he expressed willingness to facilitate adjustments if funds remain unused under certain headings while other programmes face shortages.

He stressed that future planning should ensure that past state investments are not wasted and highlighted the need for policy stability. “Policies should be introduced to facilitate development, not hinder it,” he said.

He also directed that programmes be designed in line with the principles of fiscal federalism and instructed authorities to prepare action plans in coordination with local governments to achieve energy self-reliance.

Emphasising the need to increase domestic electricity consumption, he called for strategic planning based on classification of industrial and household consumption. He also directed agencies to formulate plans through inter-agency coordination.

The minister instructed officials to develop models for energy development in collaboration with universities and to focus on energy startup projects in the future. He also suggested that pilot projects could be developed in coordination with local governments to generate energy from waste and establish successful examples.

During the discussion, secretaries at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Sarita Dawadi and Chiranjeevi Chataut, Secretary of Water and Energy Commission Secretariat Dinanath Mishra, Managing Director of NEA Hitendra Dev Shakya, among others, briefed on existing challenges and future strategies in the energy and water resources sector.