Land acquisition and construction of 'headworks' are seen as major problems in most hydropower and irrigation projects of national pride. Due to the slow pace of implementation of such projects, the costs have increased and the consumers have been deprived of using the services.

Seven of the 27 projects of national pride currently in operation in the country are related to hydropower and irrigation. Sarita Dawadi, the secretary of the ministry, said that the projects related to the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation have challenges such as negligence of construction professionals, falling within the protection zone and legal confusion.

The physical progress of the third phase of the Mahakali irrigation project, which started from the financial year 2063/64, is 26.60 percent and the financial progress is 26.53 percent. Dawadi mentioned that the lack of clear regulation regarding land acquisition of various types including Ailani, Seto Purja (given to freed Kamaiya) in this project is a problem. According to him, there is a problem in the distribution of compensation when the owners of the land and the actual owners of the land are different.

According to Secretary Dawadi, since the necessary procurement process for the construction of the canal cannot be carried forward, there is a need to initiate diplomatic initiatives with the neighboring country India. According to Dawadi, the ministry should make special arrangements and appoint a separate measuring team to complete the land acquisition (including land acquisition, land acquisition) for national pride and priority projects.

Rani-Jamra-Kularia Irrigation Project, which was started with the aim of providing irrigation facilities to a total of 38 thousand 300 hectares of arable land, has also encountered problems in land acquisition. The project, which started with a budget of 12.37 billion 75 million rupees in the financial year 2067/68, has reached a cost of 29.59 billion 77 million rupees by the financial year 2081/82. According to the ministry, the physical progress of this project, which is to be completed in the financial year 2085/86, is 76 percent and the financial progress is 73 percent.

The Babai Irrigation Project started from the financial year 2045/46 is currently in the process of master plan revision. Secretary Dawadi said that the physical progress of this project, which is being conducted with the goal of increasing agricultural production, productivity and employment by providing irrigation facilities throughout the year to 36 thousand hectares of arable land in Bardia district, is 82.27 percent and financial progress is 81.58 percent. According to him, there is a problem of electrification in the operation and management of the headworks of the project.

Similarly, as the scope of the project falls within the Bardia National Park and Krishnasar conservation area, there are also challenges in the construction and operation of the canal. Secretary Dawadi mentioned that coordination is being done with the park administration to facilitate the operation and maintenance of headworks and canals.

According to the ministry, the builders did not build according to the approved schedule in the Bheri-Babai diversion multi-purpose project. Dawadi says that due to the lack of timely land acquisition laws and regulations in Sikta irrigation project, the land acquisition process is complicated, controversial and time-consuming.

Due to the lack of prompt conclusion of the pending matter in the court, the ministry said that there is ambiguity in the implementation of the upcoming programs. According to the ministry, the financial investment framework for the construction of Budhigandaki hydropower project with two options has not been approved by the Ministry of Finance and there is also a dispute regarding land acquisition and compensation.

Similarly, in the Sunkoshi-Marine Diversion multi-purpose project, the data of the ministry shows that although about 50 percent of the time has been spent in the contract for the construction of headworks, powerhouse and surge soft, the physical progress is only 10.19 percent. On Friday, in the Federalism Strengthening and National Concerns Committee under the National Assembly, the ministry informed about the progress and status of these projects and expressed the expectation of coordination and facilitation with all three levels of government.