KATHMANDU, JANUARY 28
Japan has handed over the rehabilitated Chandra Nahar Irrigation System in Bhagni Maleth, Saptari district, following completion of a JPY 2.256 billion (approximately NPR 2.05 billion) grant aid project.
The handover ceremony was held Wednesday in the presence of Sarita Dawadi, Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation (MoEWRI), Yasuharu Shinto, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan to Nepal, and Mizuki Matsuzaki, Chief Representative of JICA Nepal office.
Originally constructed in 1927, the Chandra Nahar Irrigation System is Nepal's first modern irrigation system and a cornerstone of the country's agricultural development. After nearly 95 years of operation, the infrastructure had severely deteriorated, reducing water flow to around 80 percent of its design capacity and creating risks of leakage and structural failure.
Under the rehabilation project, 32 critical structures along the main canal-including canal underpasses, cross-drainage works, and canal-crossing bridges-were rehabilitated. The improved system now ensures more reliable water distribution across approximately 11,000 hectares of farmland, directly benefiting an estimated 35,000 farming households in the eastern Terai, the JICA said.
Speaking at the ceremony, MoEWRI Secretary Sarita Dawadi said the support from Japan and JICA had contributed not only to preserving a historically significant irrigation system but also to upgrading it in line with modern engineering standards. She highlighted the added value of knowledge and technology transfer, skill enhancement, and human resource development, noting that these efforts have strengthened productivity and sustainability in Nepal's agriculture and irrigation sector.
On this occasion, Yasuharu Shinto, Deputy Chief of Mission, the Embassy of Japan in Nepal, commended all those involved in the project. He stated that the rehabilitation of the facilities ensures an efficient water supply, significantly improving agricultural productivity in the area. He also expressed hope that the improved irrigation system will further enrich the lives of farmers and residents, as a foundation for sustainable community development, and requested that everyone involved, including the farmers, continue their dedicated efforts to properly maintain and preserve this century-old irrigation system for future generations.
According to JICA, the project carries deep historical significance rooted in early 20th-century educational exchanges between Nepal and Japan. In 1902, eight pioneering Nepali students traveled to Japan for higher education. Among them was Dilli Jung Thapa, Nepal's first engineer, who studied engineering in Japan and later led the construction of the Chandra Nahar irrigation system.
"This project stands as a testament to shared history, cooperation, and enduring partnership between the two nations," JICA stated, noting that 120 years have passed since this historic educational exchange.
Similarly, JICA Nepal Chief Matsuzaki appreciated the cooperation and partnership of the Government of Nepal and other stakeholders in completing the historic project, reaffirming JICA's commitment to supporting national priorities in agriculture and water resources that contribute to broader socio-economic development.
The rehabilitated system is expected to significantly enhance agricultural productivity and water security in the eastern Terai region for decades to come.