India stops unilateral construction of embankment along Mahakali River

India has stopped the unilateral construction of an embankment along the Mahakali River in the Darchula district.

Just a few days ago locals protested against the construction of the embankment by India. Protesters had pelted stones at Indian workers to stop the construction work. They also closed the door of a suspension bridge that connects Nepal and India in protest of the construction stating that the embankment would change the course of the river.

Now, the Indian side has stopped the construction of the embankment. The Chief District Officer (CDO) of Darchula, Dirgharaj Upadhyay, said that the Indian side has stopped the construction of the embankment after widespread protests. CDO Upadhyaya said that the Indian authorities have agreed to stop the embankment construction work for now.

A discussion was held between the officials of the two countries including the ADM ( Assistant District Magistrate) of Pithoragarh and the CDO of Darchula at the District Administration Office, Darchula.

CDO Upadhyaya also said that the embankment will not be constructed until an agreement is reached after a discussion with the local residents. Even though an embankment should be built on the Nepal side of the Mahakali River, the construction work has not started. He said that after discussions with the locals in the disputed area, an agreement will be reached and the embankment will be built on both sides of Nepal and India. He said that he has asked the Indian authorities to remove the structures built on the land from the Mahakali side towards Nepal.

CDO Upadhyay said that it was also agreed to form a mechanism including the representatives of the two countries to reach an agreement through dialogue. It is said that a consensus will be sought by forming a mechanism consisting of a technical, local political party and administration representatives. Despite the fact that India has said that it will immediately stop the construction of the embankment, as there has been a controversy due to local opposition and widespread criticism at the national level, no written agreement has been reached. Only a verbal agreement was reached in the discussion. CDO Upadhyay said, “We have asked not to work in the disputed area. We reached only verbal consent. Their work is continuing in other areas.”

Earlier, India had started building the embankment without any coordination with Nepal, in violation of international law.

As per international treaties and agreements, no country is allowed to construct any physical infrastructure without the consent of another country which affects the flow of the bordering rivers.

The unilateral embankment on the Mahakali River by India would create problems in Nepal during the monsoon season.