"Kaligandaki Diversion Project to be accelerated"

BHAIRAWA, (RUPANDEHI), NOVEMBER 29: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel has committed to advancing the Kaligandaki-Tinau Diversion Project following a favorable court order.

Highlighting the importance of this national pride project for the development of Lumbini Province, DPM Poudel stated that the court's verdict has cleared the way for progress.

He made these remarks while laying the foundation stone for a modern surgical building at the Lumbini Eye Institute and Research Centre and the Shree Rana Ambika Shah Eye Hospital in Bhairahawa. The event coincided with the hospital's 42nd anniversary celebration.

The multipurpose Kaligandaki-Tinau Diversion Project is one of 24 national pride projects and spans Palpa, Syangja, and Rupandehi districts.

DPM Poudel elaborated, “The project aims to provide irrigation to over 150,000 hectares of arable land in Rupandehi, Nawalparasi, and Kapilvastu districts by diverting water from the Kaligandaki River to the Tinau River. Additionally, it is projected to generate around 150 megawatts of electricity.”

He noted that legal challenges during the development of the project's detailed project report (DPR) had temporarily stalled progress. “Now, with the court’s decision, the project is set to move forward,” Poudel assured.

Addressing Gautam Buddha International Airport Rumors

On a separate note, DPM Poudel called for an end to false and negative rumors regarding the operation of Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa. Emphasizing its importance for enhancing connectivity, he assured the public that its operation would continue without disruption.

Hospital Developments

Kamal Raj Joshi, Chairperson of the Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh, Rupandehi, highlighted the hospital's achievements, noting that it provides outpatient services to approximately 1,200 patients daily and performs an average of 150 eye surgeries. The new state-of-the-art surgical building is estimated to cost over NPR 220 million.