KATHMANDU: The structures of the ‘Chandra Nahar’, the first modern irrigation system constructed by the government in Nepal, have been improved.

The reconstruction and reinforcement of 32 major structures of the century-old canal has been completed.

The reconstruction and reinforcement has been carried out under the Chandra Nahar Irrigation System Restoration Project, with financial and technical assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The Chandra Nahar Irrigation System with the Triyuga River as the main water source has provided irrigation facilities to about 10,500 hectares of land through a 28-kilometre-long main canal, 11 branch canals, and additional subsidiary canals.

However, due to long-term use and minimal maintenance, many structures of this system had become dilapidated.
Currently irrigation services are being provided to about 10,500 hectares from the canal, directly benefiting around 35,000 farming households in Saptari district.

The Chandra Canal Irrigation System is the first modern and the oldest irrigation system constructed at the government level in the history of Nepal.

Its construction was initiated by the then Rana Prime Minister Chandra Shumsher in 1979 BS and completed in 1984/85 BS. The construction was led by Dilli Jung Thapa, the then Colonel of the Royal Army, as the Chief Engineer.

The restored and improved structure was handed over to the Government of Nepal on behalf of JICA at a special program held in Saptari, today.

At the program, the Director General of the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation, Mitra Baral, extended gratitude to the Government of Japan for assisting in the reconstruction and strengthening of the historic Chandra Canal structures.

According to him, the reconstruction and strengthening of the Chandra Canal under the Eastern Terai Irrigation System Restoration Project have been completed with JICA’s support.

Best example of Japanese engineering

With the grant assistance from the Government of Japan and JICA, the reconstruction and reinforcement of 32 major structures of the Chandra Canal under the Eastern Terai Irrigation System Rehabilitation Project has been successfully completed.

This Japanese engineering is an excellent example of a beautiful combination of excellence and capability.
It is believed that the reconstruction and strengthening of the structures of the country’s oldest irrigation system will make a significant contribution to promoting multiple cropping, increasing production, and raising farmers’ income levels while ensuring timely water supply.

According to the Economic Survey, the agricultural sector contributes about 25 percent to Nepal’s total gross domestic product, and about 62 percent of households still rely on agriculture. Therefore, increasing the productivity of the agricultural sector is directly linked to poverty alleviation, food security, and overall national prosperity.

The program was attended by Sarita Dawadi, Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Under Secretary Susheel Chandra Acharya, Deputy Chief of Mission the Japanese Embassy here, Sinto Yasuharu, Country Representative of JICA to Nepal, Matsuzaki Mizuki, Undersecretary of the Water and Energy Commission Tikaram Baral, and Deputy Director General of the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation Basu Timalsina, among others.