KATHMANDU, June 2: Farmers reliant on the Babai Irrigation Project face severe hardships due to the ongoing canal maintenance issues. Despite being a project of National Pride, the Babai Irrigation Project’s canal in the command area fails to provide necessary water during dry seasons.
Farmers like Dhaniram Chaudhary complain that underground water extraction is inadequate. “The land has cracked under the intense heat,” he said. Annual canal collapses necessitate frequent rebuilding, which locals attribute to poor construction standards and alleged misappropriation of state funds.
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Project chief Sushil Devkota said that preparations are underway to release water in the eastern main canal system, but the western system will take longer. Historical data shows substantial financial losses, with 20 million rupees in damages to the western system and 50 million rupees to the eastern system in 2017 alone.
Despite significant investments in reconstruction, such as a 401-meter slope and a 150-meter siphon, the canal continues to fail. Locals allege collusion among central leaders, employees, and contractors, leading to a cycle of ineffective repairs. Likewise, farmers express frustration, feeling neglected by the very project meant to support them.
