Kathmandu: Nepali Congress leader and Member of Parliament Binod Chaudhary has called on the government to seek a long-term solution for the recurring flooding and irrigation issues in Nawalparasi. On Friday, Chaudhary met with Minister of Energy, Irrigation, and Water Resources Deepak Khadka at the Ministry in Singha Durbar to discuss a comprehensive plan for tackling these problems in West Nawalparasi.

Directly elected from Nawalparasi-1, Chaudhary submitted a formal letter to Minister Khadka, emphasizing the need to implement two Detailed Project Reports (DPR) prepared by the Nepal Gandak Western Canal Irrigation Management Office. He believes that following these reports will provide a permanent solution to the challenges faced by the region.

In his letter, Chaudhary proposed that the Ministry convene a meeting with relevant stakeholders to prioritize and phase out the implementation of these projects. He urged the allocation of a specific budget within this fiscal year to ensure the projects commence without delay. He also called for local community participation throughout the project phases to ensure transparency and effectiveness.

Chaudhary also stressed the importance of securing sufficient funds to expand irrigation access for farmers through the Nepal Gandak Western Canal Irrigation System. Additionally, he highlighted the need for regular maintenance of the canals, restoration of Surajpura Power House, and electrification of rural areas that have yet to receive access to power.

Furthermore, he appealed to the government to coordinate with Indian counterparts to secure compensation under the Gandak Agreement for damages caused by the Narayani River in recent years. The recent floods reportedly destroyed around 200 meters of embankment along the river, inundating approximately 200 houses in Susta Rural Municipality’s Ward No. 5.

Chaudhary underscored the urgency of rebuilding the breached embankment and constructing an additional 2.5 kilometers of embankment while raising the existing structure by one meter through the Narayani River Control Project under the Irrigation Department.

Following recent floods in Susta and neighboring areas, Chaudhary visited the affected regions to assess the damage and emphasized the need for a sustainable solution to the perennial flooding issue. Minister Khadka assured him of the government’s commitment to addressing these concerns, stating, “All of these matters are crucial and sensitive. The government will take all necessary actions for their implementation.”

Thanks to Chaudhary’s efforts, approximately 350 households in Susta Pari have recently received free electricity for a year, and he expressed his gratitude to the Minister for supporting his demands.