Kathmandu. Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development Kulman Ghising has said that the contract for the Sunkoshi-Marin and Bheri-Babai multipurpose projects could not be kept as it is.

Minister Ghising, after consulting with secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, director general of the Department of Irrigation, chief of both projects, consultants and contractors on Tuesday was the no alternative to scrapping the contract agreement.

After the unusual delay in the construction of both the projects, Minister Ghising held discussions with all the bodies involved in the construction of both the projects. Stating that the unusually slow progress in the construction of projects that would increase the productivity of agriculture by irrigating the Tarai region has deprived the result, he urged all sides concerned to be serious about the project.

“One side seems to be blaming the other side, how will the construction move forward in such an environment where the contractor is looking for a hole? Billions of rupees have been invested by the state, if we only calculate the interest, it will be billions, in such a situation, where is the financial analysis done while starting the project, what is the status of return?” he warned.

“The tunnel construction of both the projects has been completed but the projects are in limbo due to the lack of construction of dams and power houses,” he said, adding, “The projects cannot be operated in this situation as there is a shortage of water for irrigation in Tarai÷Madhes.” ’

The construction of the Bheri Babai tunnel was completed in August 2077. The contract for the construction of the dam and powerhouse was signed with Gangdong Yutian-Raman JV in August 2076. The physical progress of the project is 57 percent. Similarly, the construction of structures like Sunkoshi Marin Dam and Power House has made 10 percent progress. About 60 percent of the contract period has passed. The contractor of the project is Patel-Raman JV.