KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation has released a report detailing its achievements over the six months since the current government was formed. The report covers progress in policy reforms, irrigation management, hydropower projects, and weather forecasting.
At the policy level, the ministry has drafted bills related to renewable energy and water resource management, which have been submitted to parliament. To facilitate cross-border electricity trade, the ministry has approved detailed project reports (DPR) for several key transmission lines, including the Chameliya-Dhauliganga, Motihari-Nijgadh, and Butwal-Gorakhpur projects. Collaboration with India has also been accelerated for the Inaruwa-New Purnia and Dododhara-Bareilly transmission lines.
In the irrigation sector, the ministry reported that the Sikta Irrigation Project has expanded coverage to an additional 1,300 hectares, while the Babai Irrigation Project has added 600 hectares of irrigated land over the last six months. Further expansion was noted in the Mahakali and Rani Jamara Kulariya projects, which added 1,155 and 150 hectares, respectively. Currently, the ministry provides irrigation services to approximately 233,000 hectares of land across the country.
The Department of Electricity Development has issued survey licenses for 23 hydropower projects totaling 1,623 megawatts and production licenses for four projects. The Nepal Electricity Authority has nearly completed the construction of long-stalled towers on the Hetauda-Dhalkebar-Inaruwa 400 kV transmission line. Additionally, work has commenced on new substations to strengthen the power grid in the Kathmandu Valley.
The Alternative Energy Promotion Centre has expanded electricity access in rural areas through micro-hydro and solar systems, distributing 119,500 units of clean energy technology, including electric stoves. The Water and Energy Commission and the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology have modernized flood forecasting systems, extending the flood warning period to five days.
