Sikta Project Expands Canals as Rapti Embankments Shield Banke

The Sikta Irrigation Project has initiated land acquisition in Banke district to expand its branch and sub-branch canal network, preparing to extend irrigation to farmlands in Khajura and Baijanath rural municipalities. At the same time, newly completed embankment works along the Rapti River have shielded downstream communities from seasonal flooding, highlighting simultaneous efforts to manage the river's flow.

According to project director Raju Acharya, the District Administration Office in Banke published a formal notice on Asoj 8 under Section 3 of the Land Acquisition Act, 2034, to obtain property for the Gurwagaun branch and sub-branch canals under the western main canal. Landowners or legal heirs have 15 days from notice publication to submit compensation claims, alongside a 30-day requirement to clear structures, sheds, walls, and trees.

Reports show minor discrepancies over the local units designated for acquisition. Nagarik News and Ratopati English reported that acquisition encompasses wards 1, 2, 5, 8, and 9 of Khajura Rural Municipality, as well as wards 5 and 6 of Baijanath Rural Municipality. In contrast, Gorkhapatra listed only wards 1, 2, 5, and 8 in Khajura, omitting ward 9, while reporting the same wards in Baijanath.

The national pride project aims to irrigate 42,766 hectares across Banke, comprising 33,766 hectares west of the Rapti River and roughly 9,000 hectares to the east. Acharya noted that operational channels currently irrigate roughly 25,000 hectares. Gorkhapatra reported that the project has reached 51 percent physical progress since work started in fiscal year 2062/63, with overall infrastructure spending topping Rs 24 billion, including a 317-metre barrage across the Rapti at Agaiya. The government allocated Rs 2.55 billion to the project for the current fiscal year 2083/84, up by nearly Rs 1 billion from Rs 1.57 billion in the previous fiscal year.

Construction is under way on the Dudhuwa branch canal, while contracts have been finalised to accelerate work on the Sidhaniya, Praseni, and Akalgharwa branches. Preparations continue for remaining sections of the eastern main canal.

Alongside canal expansion, river-training works along the Rapti River have protected vulnerable riparian settlements, Onlinekhabar reported. The Irrigation and Water Resources Management Project office in Lamahi, Dang, completed over 3.1 kilometres of permanent concrete embankments and 400 metres of bio-engineering barriers in Banke during the past fiscal year. Project chief Nischal Chhatkuli stated that the infrastructure—including 1,200 metres at Kachanapur, 1,300 metres at Binauna, and 500 metres at Khalla Jhagadiya—saved hundreds of bighas of arable land and prevented inundation across Rapti Sonari, Narainapur, and Duduwa rural municipalities during recent high-water surges.