Nepal-India yet to forge consensus on Pancheswor DPR

(Ramesh Lamsal) 

Kathmandu - The Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Pancheshwor Hydropower Project could not get a final touch as the Indian side pressed for preferential right in the water, adding that the water volume being availed in the Lower Sharada Barrage should not be changed. 

According to the Nepali delegation, the secretary-level technical committee meeting held Thursday in New Delhi ended inconclusively after Nepali representatives disagreed with the Indian representatives' demand for distribution of water except that India has been using from Lower Sharada Barrage. 

The meeting has postponed, agreeing to sit for next round after the Nepali side refused the demand of Indian side for the use of water with preferential right. 

As per the Mahakali Treaty, Nepal and India are supposed to have an equal share in water and hydropower. 

However, both the sides have agreed to continue the talks in the days ahead, Spokesperson at the Ministry of Energy Dinesh Ghimire said. 

Secretary at the Secretariat of Water and Energy Commission Madhu Sudan Adhikari led the 16-member Nepali delegation while Narendra Kumar of Central Water Commission was from the 11-member Indian side. 
During the meeting, the Indian members had proposed to get water even in rainy season even after the completion of the Pancheshwor Water Reservoir. 

Though the consultant firm preparing the DPR has prepared its report with installation capacity of 5040 MW of the project, both sides have made same voice for firm power of 925 MW round the year. Nepal would receive 462 MW out of the total 925 MW though Nepal would invest one third of the total investment.