KATHMANDU: Indian government today provided a cheque for Rs 131.6 million to the Ministry of Irrigation for the construction of embankments along the Lalbakiya and Bagmati rivers.

Alok K Sinha, deputy chief of mission at the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, handed over the cheque to Umakanta Jha, secretary at the Ministry of Irrigation.

The assistance was extended as per the decision of the Nepal-India Sub-Committee on Embankment Construction and Joint Committee on Inundation and Flood Management.

The government of India has been providing assistance to Nepal for strengthening and extension of embankments along the Kamala, Lalbakiya and Bagmati rivers.

With today’s assistance, the total grant

assistance for embankment construction

along these rivers this year has reached Rs 449.1 million. Separately, India has committed a grant assistance of Rs 109.9 million for flood protection work along Trijuga, Lakhandehi, Sunsari and Kankai rivers.

“India remains committed to continue working closely with Nepal for further development of cooperation in the field of Water Resources so that these contribute to development and prosperity of the two close and friendly neighbouring countries,” reads a press statement issued by the Indian Embassy.