Kathmandu, February 6:

Indian Ambassador to Nepal Rakesh Sood today handed a cheque of Rs 151.2 million to Minister for Water Resources Bishnu Prasad Paudel for the construction of embankments along the Bagmati, Kamala and Lalbakiya rivers.

The assistance came after the 12th meeting of the Joint Sub-Committee on Embankment Construction in Kathmandu. A five-member Indian team led by MU Ghani attended the meeting that concluded today.

India has been working with Nepal on projects related to extension of embankments along the rivers flowing from Nepal into India to control floods in Nepal and adjoining territories in India by providing financial and technical assistance to Nepal for over five years.

Under the assistance, sixteen construction works along Bagmati, nine along Kamala and two along Lalbakiya river will be carried out. After handing over the cheque, envoy Sood said, “Our support in this area would be beneficial for both the countries since these rivers are connected to these countries.”

As per the third meeting of Nepal-India Joint Committee on Water Resources (JCWR) held in September in Kathmandu, the construction works are underway. According to the Indian Embassy, India had already provided assistance worth Rs 165 million for similar projects.

Expressing gratitude, Paudel said, “We are hopeful for extensive cooperation and assistance from India in the days to come.”