Project in limbo

BHADRAPUR: The much-touted Siddhikhola Irrigation Project meant for eastern Jhapa is in limbo. Landslides and soil erosion at several places have halted the construction of the Rs 25 million project that was supposed to be completed last year. Following the disruption, the plan to irrigate 1,700 hectares of land in Bahundangi VDC is uncertain. Of the total 22-km route, landslides and soil erosion buried and washed away 10-km of waterway, said Prakash Karki, engineer at the Eastern Irrigation Division Office, Jhapa. The government’’s investment will go waste if the irrigation project is shelved, said division office chief Mitra Baral.

Mahayagya for fund

NAWALPARASI: A whopping sum of Rs 40.5 million has been collected through mahayagya conducted in Nawalparasi district. According to the organisers, the collected fund will be utilized to build a hospital at Daunedevi VDC in the district. Pandit Dinbandhu Pokharel carried out the religious recital at the mahayagya. Once the hospital comes into operation, 250,000 villagers of 26 VDCs, including Makar, Daunedevi, Jamuniya and Jahada, will be facilitated.

Fire guts property

JHAPA: A fire broke out on Tuesday night in Surunga of Jhapa, engulfing five houses. Property worth Rs 50 million was destroyed when the fire gutted the houses of Prabhakhar Kadariya, Rudra Prasad Chimariya, Bodh Kumar Mainali and Tulsi Prasad Bimali. Short-circuit at a copy factory of triggered the fire.