In response to the request by Department of Water Induced Disaster Prevention (DWIDP), Ministry of Water Resources of the Government of Nepal, made at the 9th Meeting of  the Sub Committee on Embankment Construction (SCEC) in September 2007, for release of funds to undertake works related to construction of embankments along Bagmati and Lalbakiya rivers, the Government of India handed over a cheque amounting to NRs. 2,94,40,000/- to DWIDP during the 10th meeting of SCEC held in Nepal from January 14-18, 2008.

            Government of India is providing assistance to Nepal for extension of the embankments up to high ground in Nepal along rivers flowing from Nepal into India to control floods in Nepal and adjoining territory in India by checking over-bank spilling of these rivers in Terai area of Nepal. In the first phase, assistance is being provided for extension of embankments along Lalbakiya, Bagmati, Kamla and Khando Rivers.

            Government of India’s full contribution to the construction of embankments along Bagmati River will be NRs. 227.6 million for Phase I. The first installment of NRs.  42.7 million was released in October 2003; second installment of NRs. 54 million in July 2004 and the third installment of NRs. 44 million in June 2005. The Government of India has so far contributed NRs. 45.4 million towards construction of marginal embankments along the Lalbakiya River in Nepal.

            Phase-I Project has been completed on Lalbakiya River and is in progress on Bagmati River. The Detailed Project Report for Kamala River has been approved by SCEC and is being taken up next. SCEC has also approved that the Detailed Project Report already prepared for Khando River should be up-dated soon.
           
            The construction of embankments is carried out by the Government of Nepal. The Joint Committee on Water Resources between Governments of India and Nepal headed by the respective Secretaries of Water Resources overseas cooperation in this field with the assistance of SCEC.

            At the 10th meeting of the SCEC, the Indian and the Nepalese delegations were led by Mr. M.U. Ghani, Member, Ganga Flood Control Commission, Patna and
Mr. Khom Raj Dahal, Deputy Director General, DWIDP, respectively. The meeting was held in cordial atmosphere and reached several important decisions including approval of emergent protection works along the Kamala River before monsoon 2008. SCEC requested DWIDP, Government of Nepal to prepare the scheme for Phase-II along the Lalbakeya and Bagmati Rivers.

            As a gesture of friendship and goodwill towards the Nepalese people, the Government of India is committed to providing assistance to Nepal for construction of embankments and implementation of other such flood control measures which are mutually beneficial.