CHITWAN: Embankment construction along the Narayani River has accelerated after years of delays, with two major flood protection projects now nearing completion.
The projects, which were awarded four years ago but progressed slowly, have seen significant improvements following renewed efforts by the Irrigation and Water Resources Management Project Office.
One of the projects, a six-kilometre embankment in the Sisai–Bhagendi Baluwa area of Chitwan, had achieved only 24 per cent physical progress by last November. According to Project Chief Dr Narayan Prasad Subedi, the project had reached 90.93 per cent completion by the end of the Nepali month of Asar.
Dr Subedi said the project was originally targeted for completion by the end of Asar but was delayed by rising petroleum prices, which affected construction work.
Construction has also advanced on the nearly five-kilometre embankment stretching from Kusumghat to Thumsi in Gaindakot, which has now reached 99 per cent completion.
Information Officer Sagar Paudel said the project had made only 47 per cent progress over the first three and a half years but accelerated rapidly to reach 99 per cent by the end of Asar.
The Chitwan-side embankment contract was signed with Sharma Sagun Construction Company on 24 June 2022. Of the five contract packages in the area, four have already been completed, while work on the Sisai–Bhagendi section remains ongoing.
Officials said the completion of around 90 per cent of the Sisai–Bhagendi embankment has significantly reduced the flood risk during the monsoon.
The six-kilometre project was awarded at a cost of Rs 370 million. Dr Subedi attributed the recent progress to continuous monitoring and efforts to resolve construction-related issues.
The Gaindakot-side embankment project, covering the Kusumghat–Thumsi section, was contracted on 1 December 2022 at a cost of Rs 1.09 billion. Dr Subedi said only minor finishing works, including laying grass turf, remain before the project is completed.
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