New site for Pancheshwar power project

It was also decided that the 5,600 MW of power generated would be shared on a 50:50 basis.

Considering that the two countries were unable to arrive at even the parametres for the Detailed Project Report DPR for the project, it has now been decided that a team of experts from both countries would submit a report by January 2005 to iron out small differences.

The JCWR itself was meeting after four years and several decisions on flood management were also taken.

8216;8216;Now, the Pancheshwar project is definitely on track with these new deadlines,8217;8217; said V.K. Duggal, secretary, Ministry of Water Resources.

The Nepalese delegation was headed by M.N. Karyal, his counterpart in Nepal. 8216;8216;Considering the severity of the floods this time in the two countries, the sense of urgency was there for both countries,8217;8217; Duggal added.

Representatives from UP, Bihar and Uttranchal governments were also present.

Duggal said a consultant would be appointed by India on the construction of a 13-km road in Tanakpur-Mahendranagar link.

The committee welcomed the ongoing discussions between the National Hydro Power Corporation and the Nepalese side on the execution of the 300 MW Upper Karnali hydropower project in Nepal.

The other significant decision was to constitute a task force that would prepare a comprehensive strategy on flood control for Kamala and Bagmati rivers. The group would suggest a list of short-term measures within three months. The office that has been set up jointly in Viratnagar for flood planning has now been mandated to conduct field investigations on Sapt Koshi High Dam and Sun Koshi Storage cum Diversion project.

The implementation would bring immense flood control benefits, improve irrigation facilities and power generation.

The possibility of India helping with the afforestation of Shivalik hills in Nepal as a long term measure for flood control was also discussed.

Since there are 246 rivers flowing from Nepal to India, the government claims that they have made significant progress in activating all the various groups and committees that have not been meeting regularly: The Standing committee on Inundation, Standing Committee on Embankment Construction, Power Exchange Committee and Joint Committee on Kosi and Gandak. The next meeting of the committee would be held in Kathmandu in April next year.

Asked whether inter-linking of rivers in India also figured at the meeting, Duggal replied in the negative and said the common minimum programme of the UPA Government had made it clear that the river-linking concept would be subject to comprehensive asssessment through consultations.

The feasibility report of about 15 peninsular rivers would be completed by December.