KATHMANDU, APRIL 19 The Sikta Irrigation Project has achieved only 46 per cent physical progress in nearly two decades since its launch in the fiscal year 2061/62 BS. According to the project office, a total of Rs 23.77 billion has been spent so far, accounting for 44.95 per cent financial progress. In the current fiscal year, Rs 3.30 billion has been allocated, of which around Rs 1.57 billion has already been utilised. The project, which involves constructing a dam on the Rapti River at Raptisonari Rural Municipality-3, aims to provide irrigation to 42,766 hectares of land. So far, irrigation facilities have been extended to about 24,000 hectares. Officials said the project will be completed in three phases, with an estimated cost of Rs 12.8 billion for the first two phases. Upon completion, it is expected to benefit around 17,000 households, covering nearly 400,000 farmers in the district.