The third meeting of Joint Committee on Water Resources (JCWR) between India and Nepal was held in Kathmandu from September 29 to October 01, 2008. The Indian delegation was led by Mr. U.N. Panjiar, Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources of India and the Nepalese delegation was led by Mr. Shankar Koirala, Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources of Nepal.   The delegations also visited the Kosi breach site on September 30, 2008.

The main decisions reached at the meeting are as under:

• Set up a Project Development Authority for the development, execution and operationalisation of the Pancheswhar Multipurpose Project, headed by the Water Resources Secretaries of the two countries.
• Commence construction of 1.2 km of canal in the Indian Territory to connect with the Mahakali-III canal system in Nepal.
• Indian side informed that the work on excavation of pilot channels to divert the Kosi water flow from eastern bank to the barrage had been started.  The flow of water through the breached portion on embankment was expected to be stopped by middle of December 2008 and the afflux bund would be restored to its original section by the end of March 2009.
• The Government of Nepal assured that the security for the field investigations and studies for the Sapta Kosi High Dam Multi Purpose Project would be ensured.  In view of this assurance, the Committee decided to extend the tenure of Joint Project Office by one year. 
• The Indian side invited the Nepalese side to carry out a joint field inspection of Mahali Sagar Dam within one month.
• The Indian side handed over a detailed proposal to the Nepalese side for providing unhindered passage through Kalkalwa Bund.
• In pursuance of the decisions taken during the recent visit of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Nepal to India to establish a three-tier mechanism at Ministerial, Secretary and technical levels,  JCWR recommended composition of the Joint Ministerial Level Commission on water resources, which would meet annually.  The existing JCWR would meet twice a year.  The JCWR also decided to constitute a Joint Standing Technical Committee (JSTC) that will coordinate the work of all existing committees and sub-committees under the JCWR.   The JSTC will meet every quarter.
• Indian side will undertake a Pre-feasibility study of the Naumure HEP within the next three months provided that the Nepalese side makes available the hydrological data and topographical details within one month.