Pancheshwar Dam: Indo-Nepal Cooperation

February 29, 2024

GS Paper III Economy Infrastructure

Context:

Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project (PMP) between India and Nepal, has been a topic of concern in official dialogue due to its stagnant progress over the years.

Mahakali River

Mahakali River is Known as Sharda River, Kali River.
It Originates at Kalapani in the Himalayas in Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand.
Flows along Nepal’s western border with India.
Basin area covers 14,871 square kilometers.
It meets with Ghaghra River, a Ganges tributary.
Takes the name Kali River after merging at Gunji in the hills.
It is known as the Sharda River upon entering Terai plains near Brahmadev Mandi close to Tanakpur.

Pancheshwar Dam/ Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project (PMP)

Pancheshwar Dam is a part of the Mahakali Treaty.
- It was signed in 1996.
It is planned on the Mahakali River.
It involves the construction of equal-sized powerhouses of 3240MV on both sides of the river.

The Mahakali Treaty

The Mahakali Treaty, signed in 1996, is an agreement between the governments of Nepal and India.
It focuses on developing the watershed of the Mahakali River.
The treaty includes 12 articles detailing plans for building barrages, dams, and hydropower plants.
Objective: To facilitate mutual cooperation between the two countries in managing water resources.
The treaty officially recognizes the Mahakali River as the boundary between Nepal and India.

In addition to generating power, the project will irrigate 130,000 hectares of land in Nepal and 240,000 hectares in India, along with providing flood protection and other related benefits.

Pancheshwar Dam

Reasons For Stalled Pancheshwar Dam

Lack of Consensus on Detailed Project Report: Though the treaty was signed in 1996, there are disagreements between Nepal and China over specifics outlined in the Comprehensive Detailed Project Report (DPR).
Contentious Issues: There is difficulty in finding mutually acceptable solutions over dam height, Submergence area and Downstream benefits.
Inconsistent political support: The project has not consistently garnered robust political support from either India or Nepal.
Delays in Decision-Making: Bureaucratic hurdles on both sides have significantly slowed down the decision-making process.

Also Read: 7th Meeting Of The India-Nepal Joint Commission

News Source: The Hindu

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