Nepal-India water talks kicks off in Pokhara
The much-anticipated secretary level talks between Nepal and India kicked off in Pokhara on Friday.
Secretary at the Ministry of Energy Shanker Koirala welcomed the participants and inaugurated the meeting being held at Fulbari Resort in Pokhara today.
Indian Ambassador Rakesh Sood and a 10-member delegation led by Indian Water Resources Secretary Umesh Nath Panjiyar have represented the Indian side while 16 officials from the Energy and Water Resources ministry have represented the Nepali side at the meeting.
The two-day event will deliberate on the much-talked-about Pancheshwor Hydropower Project and other crucial issues related to water resources, energy and inundation.
Spokesperson at the Ministry of Energy Anup Kumar Upadhyaya said about a dozen issues would figure in the discussion.
Finalisation of the terms of reference (ToR) for the Pancheshwor Development Authority (PDA) is on the agenda.
Nepal and India have agreed to set up the PDA office in Nepal for a smooth commissioning of the Pancheshwor project. “Most probably, we will reach an agreement on the ToR of the PDA,” said Energy Secretary Shanker Koirala.
Indian Water Resources Secretary Umesh Nath Panjiyar has held separate meetings with Energy Minister Prakash Saran Mahat and Irrigation Minister Bal Krishna Khad.
According to Upadhyaya, the Indian side is expected to draw Nepal’s attention to problems facing the proposed Koshi High Dam survey. Insecurity has taken its toll on the survey, with technical personnel’s strength at the site reduced from 74 to 34. “Studies on typo-mapping and irrigation are going smoothly, but there are problems on drilling,” a senior official said.
“We will discuss PDA models and draw Indian officials’ attention to inundation that India-built structures have caused,” Upadhyaya said.
Construction of embankments on either side of the Mechi River is on the table. Nepal will express concern about the construction of a structure that has hampered power generation at the Gandak power station. “The meeting is likely to finalise the date for the ministerial-level meeting on Water Resources,” said Upadhyaya.
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