KATHMANDU: The Nepal-India joint meeting of Energy Secretaries, slated to take place on Thursday to hold discussions on the Pancheshwor Development Authority, has been put off citing lack of preparation.

The meeting of the Authority, which oversees the Pancheshwor Multipurpose Project, has been put off at the request of the concerned Indian side, according to Suman Prasad Sharma, Secretary at the Ministry of Energy.

"The Indian side has called off the meeting at the eleventh hour, citing that something contingency came up their way," shared Secretary Sharma.

The bilateral hydro electricity project, which was stagnant for last 23 years, had gained pace following the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Nepal in August 2014.

The next meeting on this multipurpose joint undertaking of Nepal and India is likely to be held in the last week of January or in the first week of February, added Sharma.

The postponed meeting was viewed with utmost importance in improving the soured ties with India following its unofficial border blockade on Nepal.

The meeting would be attended by the Secretaries of the respective Energy Ministry and high-ranking officials of the Authority.

The Multipurpose Project is expected to generate a total of 690 megawatt electricity.