Rehabilitation of Irrigation System in Eastern Terai

JICA to provide NPR 2.05 Billion Grant to rehabilitate the oldest Irrigation System in Nepal,

JICA Nepal and Government of Nepal concluded an agreement on the Grant Aid Project on The

Rehabilitation of Irrigation System in Eastern Terai in Nepal on September 21, 2022 where JICA

Shall extend a grant up to JPY 2.256 billion (approximately NPR 2.05 billion).

The objective of the Project is to achieve appropriate water distribution in Chandra Nahar Irrigation

Scheme by rehabilitating irrigation facilities, thereby contributing to increase agricultural

Production in the eastern Terai region. The project will be supporting for the rehabilitation of the

existing facilities in the target area and keeping the system sustainable through capacity

development for management and supervision regarding rehabilitated facilities. The command area

of the Chandra Nahar Irrigation System is 11,000 hectors, which directly benefits to 35,000

households for the irrigation facility in the said area.

Chandra Nahar Irrigation System is the oldest irrigation system in Nepal which was designed and

constructed between 1923 to 1927 AD by the British Engineers, during then Prime Minister

Chandra Samsher Jung Bahadur Rana to irrigate the low lands of Terai region of currently Saptari

district’s right bank side of Sapta Koshi River. The lunar canal built during the Rana period has

been in operation for more than 95 years and currently is in a dilapidated condition and not

functioning properly. The malfunctioning is mainly due to aging and lack of periodic operation and

maintenance. Thus, the entire system is in urgent need for overall system rehabilitation and further

capacity development of its Water User Associations is required in order to maintain the system.

The Government of Nepal duly sent a request to the Government of Japan for assistance in the

rehabilitation of irrigation facilities in the eastern Terai area.

The Exchange of Notes regarding the assistance was signed between Krishna Hari Pushkar ,

Secretary, Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Government of Nepal (GON) and

KIKUTA Yutaka, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal on behalf of the Government of Japan (GOJ).

Similarly, the Grant Agreement was signed between Ishwori Prasad Aryal, Joint Secretary,

International Economic Cooperation Coordination Division (IECCD), Ministry of Finance on

behalf of GON and OKUBO Akimitsu, Chief Representative of JICA Nepal Office on behalf of

JICA.

During the signing ceremony, Mr. OKUBO Akimitsu, Chief Representative of JICA Nepal said

that, "Through this project we not only aim to rehabilitate the irrigation system and strengthen the

capacity of the stakeholders but also preserve the pride and heritage of the first and the oldest

irrigation facility in Nepal.