Koshi Province boosts safe water access, irrigation, and power

KATHMANDU: Koshi Province government has successfully provided safe drinking water access to 34.7% of its residents through 1,591 projects, the Ministry of Drinking Water, Irrigation, and Energy announced at a press conference today.

The ministry reported that basic drinking water coverage has reached 93.1%, and basic sanitation access stands at 98%.

These figures have significantly improved from 2075 BS, when basic drinking water access was 90%, safe drinking water 15%, and sanitation 62%.

The ministry operates through 24 offices across the province, including seven drinking water and sanitation divisions and 13 water resource and irrigation development divisions, providing essential services.

Minister Ekraj Karki highlighted notable improvements in safe drinking water, irrigation, electrification, and river control, emphasizing the provincial government’s commitment to optimizing resources for the welfare of Koshi residents.

He also noted progress following the implementation of a new provincial act on water management.

Secretary Pradeep Bantawa shared that 95.53% of families have electricity access, with current production at 653 MW out of an installed capacity of 28,000 MW.

Efforts to increase power generation are underway through private partnerships, including near completion of the Laxmi Khola small hydropower project and grid connection of Dhankuta.

Renewable energy projects include 9.13 MW of small hydropower and 19.3 MW of solar power capacity.

A targeted solar energy program has installed solar lights in 125 homes in remote areas of Tehrathum and Taplejung districts.

In irrigation, the province operates 1,549 schemes, providing year-round irrigation to 37.3% of arable land.

Projects under development aim to extend irrigation coverage using surface and groundwater methods.

In the eight hilly districts, 1,157 farmer canals have been improved, irrigating 20,400 hectares. Support from the Asian Development Bank and Kuwait Fund is expanding irrigation to an additional 4,265 hectares.

Currently, 1,191 groundwater irrigation facilities—including deep tube wells, power drill tube wells, and shallow tube wells—are operational, covering 6,728 hectares.

Total cultivable land in Koshi Province is 594,616 hectares out of 2.59 million hectares, with year-round irrigation now covering 318,735 hectares, a significant increase from pre-2075 BS levels.

River control efforts include construction of 482 kilometers of embankments between 2075 BS and 2082 BS, protecting 4,392 hectares of farmland.

Additionally, 153 landslide control projects have been completed.

The ministry reported budget utilization of 72.07% for operational expenses and 94.7% for capital projects, with some funds currently pending release.