Nepal, India Agree to Expedite Pancheshwor Project DPR

Nepal’s Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, met with India’s Minister for Water Power, C.R. Patil, in New Delhi to discuss bilateral water resource cooperation. The meeting took place at Shram Shakti Bhawan during Minister Khadka’s visit for India Energy Week 2025.

A key outcome of the discussions was an agreement to fast-track the completion of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Pancheshwor Multipurpose Project (PMP) and move forward with its implementation. Senior Energy Expert Prabal Adhikari, who was present at the meeting, confirmed the development.

Additionally, both sides reviewed progress on the construction of the link canal from Tanakpur to the Nepal-India border, which has been completed. They agreed to finalize the operational procedures soon and ensure water release in accordance with the Mahakali Treaty.

The two ministers also discussed convening a Joint Committee meeting on Flood and Inundation Management from March 22 to 24. Formal invitations will be sent to relevant authorities for this purpose.

Further, they agreed to advance discussions on the DPR of the Saptakoshi Multipurpose Project through a bilateral meeting. Minister Khadka noted that the previous meeting on November 5 had strengthened bilateral cooperation in water resource management.

Indian Minister Patil reiterated India’s commitment to finalizing the DPR of the Pancheshwor project swiftly and pushing the project forward. The meeting was attended by senior officials from both countries, including Nepal’s Energy Secretary Suresh Acharya, Joint Secretary Sandeep Kumar Dev, Economic Advisor Amit Shrestha, and high-ranking Indian officials.