Field Visit Report on West Gandak Project
Government of Nepal
Ministry of water resources
Department of Irrigation
Report on West Gandak Inundation Problem
June 2008
Field Visit Report on West Gandak Project
Purpose of the field visit was to find the causes of the protest called on by "Gandak Nadi Niyantran Sangharsa Samitee" Nawalparasi due to inundation problems caused by irrigation networks under Main Western Canal of Gandak Project.
Objective: The main objective of this visit was to explore the causes of the protest and possible solutions.
Scopes: Scopes of the visit are as follows:
- To discuss with the people about the protest
- Field verification of the demands as mentioned in the press release by Gandak Nadi Niyantran Sangharsa Samitee.
Visit of the above mentioned area was undertaken from 21-24 Jestha, 2065 (3-6 June, 2008) by Vijay Shanker Mishra, SDE, DoI and Dev Narayan Mishra, chief of irrigation Development Division #7, Nawalparasi as instructed by Director General, DoI. During Field visit detail discussion was carried out to identify the problematic area was done accordingly in association with protestors.
Problems and Issues
The Gandak Project is the out come of the Gandak Agreement-1960 between GoN and GoI. Under the project, irrigation and drainage networks were developed to provide irrigation facilities in 10,300 ha land of Nawalparasi district in Nepal where as main western canal was constructed through Nepalese territory to provide irrigation in Uttar Pradesh State and Bihar State of India. With development of theses irrigation infrastructures a lot of problems related to inundation and land erosion has been encountered in the project area of Nawalparasi district. The problems identified are as below:
a) A number of drainage siphons at different chainage such as 6,16,24, and 43 RD were constructed to cross the local drains, of which siphon at chainage 43 was closed after damage and remaining three are in operations. But these siphons get choked during monsoon in absence of
clear waterway d/s of these siphons. All the drains d/s are silted up as a result water logging problems in the area has become acute. Every year massive loss of crops and other properties has been reported. This problem was raised in the first meeting of the Joint Committee on the Kosi and Gandak Projects (JCKGP) and the joint committee had decided that the Indian side would continue to clear the siphons, excavate the drainage channels downstream of the siphons to the required shape and size up to the outfall but partial cleaning of the vents was only carried out by Indian side so this problems were also raised in second and third meeting of JCKGP. Even request for opening the plugged siphon on 43 RD was also made in the first meeting but no action has been taken till date.
b) In the down stream of the Barrage , A-gap, B-gap, Link bund and Nepal bund are constructed to guide the flow and protect the village along the right bank of the river. But these bunds are not properly maintained as a result the land submergence and erosion is severe along these bunds. As reported by local people some 350 ha of cultivable land has been eroded by the river. This situation has also imposed threat of non refundable loss of lives and properties with high probability of washing out of these bunds.
c) Service Road and Lining of Main Western Canal (MWC) in the Nepalese territory is completely damaged in most of the reaches as well as the outer slopes of the canal banks are eroded thus increasing the possibility of breaching of canal banks. Because of this villagers in surrounding area are surviving in fear. This issue was also raised in previous meetings of JCKGP and Indian side had committed to repair as and when required but no proper response has been observed in this regard.
d) The Main Western Canal is not operated at designed full supply as a result the Piparpati Sub Distributary off taking from MWC is not getting agreed quantity of discharge of 44 cusecs. This issue was also raised in second and third meetings of JCKGP. Third meeting had decided that the sub committee would look into the matter and report to the committee.
e) Due to high seepage through the banks of MWC and inadequate water way for local drains, water logging is common in the area which has induced several diseases in local people.
f) In due course of time change in river morphology and hydraulics is observed so the stability of all the major infrastructures need to be reevaluated and these structures should be strengthened and constructed accordingly if not the incidence like breaching of right bank u/s of Barrage happened on 23rd July, 2002 resulting in massive loss of lives and properties may occur again. Though the river banks were designed for 8 lakh cusecs, the bank breached at 6,29,050 cusecs discharge only.
Solutions Proposed by GNNSS
To find the solution for the above mentioned problems the "Gandak Nadi Niyantran Sangharsa Samittee" has put forward 21 demands through press release. While going through their demands, it was found that their demands are quite genuine both on technical and humanitarian base, for long term sustainability of irrigation systems and need to be implemented step wise categorizing the demands under short term, medium term and long term perspectives.
Short Term Activities
To provide instant relief to the people and operate the system smoothly and safely in the coming kharif season following activities need to be carried out as soon as possible:
- Construction of Embankment from the tail end of the silt ejector to the tail of the A- Gap bund (shown in the index Map).
- Construction of spur of appropriate length in the tail of A-gap bund (shown in the index map)
- Construction of Embankment along the Gandak River from A-gap to B-gap bunds (shown in the index map)
- Operation of MWC at designed FSL
- Channelisation of all the local drains in required shape and size up to outfall station.
- Compensation of land eroded and crops damaged in the previous years.
Medium Term Activities
- Strengthening of B-gap bund with additional height and width of the bund.
- Construction of drainage structures with bridge in Dhoba Nala of required capacity.
- Repair of concrete lining in MWC.
- Repair of blacktop service road, bridges, bank slopes and other structures in MWC.
- Strengthening of right banks of river u/s of Barrage.
- Widening of bridges in MWC at Raninagar and Belatari.
- Constructional of additional bridges in MWC near Gudariya, Tangikot and 1 km d/s of Suryapura Powerhouse.
- Explore the possibility of Siphoning the MWC taking into account the power generation capacity in Suryapura power house.
- If found feasible, Siphoning of the MWC.
Long Term Activities
Under this perspective most of the activities are related to social welfare of the people in the project area.
- Construction of hospital in ward #4 of Kudia VDC.
- Provision for safe drinking water supply and control of Malarial diseases.
- Scholarship for Higher Education in the field of medical, engineering (5) and others (10)
- Construction of two way Blacktop road from Barrage to Gajendra Mokchha Dham a historical place u/s of Tribeni.
- Construction of Embankment from B-gap bund to Indian Border through Paklihawa VDC.
- Reopening of Drainage Siphon at 43 RD.
- To explore alternative arrangement for draining the Rayapurwa Khola.
- To provide irrigation in Nepalese territory, the works any left should be completed in accordance with the agreement.
Implementation Arrangement
All the above mentioned activities should be carried out in association with local people and concerned Nepalese officials from quality control aspect and future sustainability of the projects.
Concluding Remarks
- The activities listed under short term should be carried out as early as possible, if not the people in the area will not allow operation of the canals.
- The Implementation Plan of all the activities to be carried out in short, medium and long term span should be discussed and finalized in coordination with local people.
- Participation of local people in all the steps of implementation is essential for future sustainability of the project.
Annexes
- Index map
- Copy of Press Release
- Minutes of meetings of JCKGP
Embassy of India, P.O. Box: 292
Kapurdhara Marg, Kathmandu (Nepal)
Tel: 00-9771-4410232
Fax: 00-977-1-4418205
FAX MESSAGE
16 June, 2008
From: Harsh K. Jain, Counsellor (Commerce)
To: Smt. Preeti Saran, JS (North), MEA
As you are aware, some members of the Gandak River Management Struggle Committee have been protesting at Gandak Barrage since 30 May 2008. Ministry of Water Resources, GoN, had sent a team of two engineers from the Department of Irrigation to Gandak Barrage to meet the agitators and understand the nature of the problem. These engineers have now submitted a report to the GoN. Mr. Shanker Koirala (SK), Secretary, MOWR, GON, had called me and informally handed over a copy of this report, requesting GOI to take necessary measures to carry out short-term activities on priority. A formal communication from GON with specific recommendations is expected to be sent through their Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
2. It is requested that the Ministry may take up the matter with Govt. of Bihar to accord high priority to undertaking necessary action on the issues that have been highlighted by the agitators and which fall under the GOI's responsibility under the Gandak Agreement. A commitment of Govt. of Bihar would help us intervene at appropriate levels for early resolution of the problem. SK had also suggested holding the meeting of joint committee on Kosi and Gandak projects on a more regular basis so that such issues do not build up. While issues related to Gandak projects have come to the fore, the Govt. of Bihar should be advised to undertake preliminary assessment of issues that may be related with Kosi project and initiate priority action on such issues. As it would be India's turn to host the Kosi and Gandak Projects, the Govt. of Bihar may be also advised to suggest suitable dates for hosting the meeting.
(Harsh K. Jain)
Embassy of India, P.O Box: 292
Kapurdhara Marg, Kathmandu (Nepal)
Tel: 00-9771-4410232
Fax: 00-977-1-4418205
FAX MESSAGE
17 June, 2008
From: Harsh K. Jain, Counsellor (commerce)
To: Smt. Preeti Saran, JS (North), MEA
This is in continuation of my fax message yesterday with regard to agitation by the Gandak River Management struggle Committee. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has now sent a formal communication (attached) stating that "the canals of Gandak Barrage have been submerging 15 Village Development Committees (VDCs) in the Nawalparasi district every year. Similarly, the inundation of the Narayani River is causing erosion of big land mass. "The GON has identified the following immediate measures to address the "adverse condition facing the communities in Nawalparasi district":
- Construction of:
- Embankment from tail end of slit ejector to the tail of A-Gap bund.
- Spur near tail of a A-Gap
- Embankment along the river A-Gap to B-Gap bunds.
- Channelized local drains.
Operation of Main Western Canal at designed Full Supply Level.
2. The Government of Nepal has also requested to look into the possibility of compensatory measures against the damages caused by land erosion and due to losses of crops as raised during the meetings of Joint Committee on Kosi and Gandak Projects.
3. Grateful, if this may be taken up with the Govt. of Bihar for initiating necessary action, wherever applicable, and also seeking their commitment and views to allow us to give a formal response to GON.
(Harsh K. Jain)
Ministry of External Affairs,
South Block, New Delhi-11
Tel.: 009111-23793241
Fax: 009111-23792814
Email:jsnorth@mea.gov.in
MOST IMMEDIATE
NO. 2133/JS(N)/2008 June17, 2008
TO: Shri Ajay Nayak, Principal Secretary (Water Resources),
Government of Bihar, Patna
Rpt: Shri S. Manoharan, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, New Delhi.
Rpt: Principal Secretary (Water Resources), Government of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow
Rpt: Shri Harsh K. Jain, Counsellor (com.), EOI Kathmandu
Reference our telephonic conversation regarding the on-going agitation in West Canal of Gandak Barrage.
2. Hon. Chief Minister, Bihar's d.o. letter No. 461082/CMS, dated June 11, 2008, addressed to EAM also refers.
3. As discussed, faxed herewith are two communications received from our Embassy in Kathmandu dated June 16 & 17, 2008, respectively, outlining the concerns that have been raised by the Government of Nepal on this issue. I shall be grateful to receive your considered response to the issues raised.
(Preeti Saran)
Joint Secretary (North)
PROCEEDING OF INDO-NEPAL (BORDER DISTRICT) COORDINATION COMMITTEE HELD AT IRRIGATION I.B. ON 26.06.2008
PRESENCE
1. District Magistrate West Champaran, Bettiah 2. Chief District Officer, Nawalparasi (Nepal)
3. S.P. Bagaha West Champaran
4. S.P Nawalparasi (Nepal)
5. S.P. Armed Police, Nawalparasi (Nepal)
6. Chief Development Officers, Maharajgang (U.P)
7. Chief Engineer, Irrigation dept. Valmikinagar (Bihar)
8. Executive Engineer, Irrigation, Gorakhpur (U.P)
9. Commandant SSB Valmikinagar
10. Representatives of Gandak Sangharsh Samiti Nawalparasi Nepal
PROCEEDING:-
1.0- The C.D.O Nawalparasi presented the list of demands on behalf of Gandak Sangharsh Samiti.
2.0- Chief Engineer Irrigation Valmikinagar, Excutive Engineer Irrigation Gorakhpur and Executive engineer Nawalparasi District Irrigation (Nepal) discussed all the points of the demand. Some of the issues related to local engineering were discusses and sorted out. Rest of the issues which required decision at the higher level, would be referred to the concerned officer of the respective government, so that these matter could be taken up at the Joint Committee on Kosi and Gandak Project.
3.0- Issues relating to social/ welfare sector, such as opening of hospital, providing seat in Engineering and Medical colleges in India, etc were raised. It was decided to refer these matters to the same committee mentioned above.
4.0- Technical personnel from both sides will meet frequently, and resolve local issues and refered major issues for the consideration at higher leval as and when required.
5.0- It was decided that next Indo-Nepal border district coordination committee shall meet in the last week of October to review the progress.
The Meeting ended with vote of Thanks.
Chief District Officer Chief Development Officer District Magistrate
Nawalparasi (Nepal) Maharajgang (U.P) West Champaran, Bettiah
