Nepal & India to convene expert meeting on Pancheshwar Power Plant DPR

11 Jul 2023 CW Team

The report quoted Madhu Bhetuwal, the spokesperson for Nepal's Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, stating, "The meeting decided to extend the term of the team of experts which expired in March." He further added, "The two sides also agreed to hold the next meeting of the team of experts within 10 days to iron out the differences over the DPR and make a move towards concluding the DPR."

The Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project (PMP) is a collaborative effort between Nepal and India, aiming to construct a hydroelectric power project on the Mahakali River, which forms the border between the two countries. The project is governed by the integrated Mahakali Treaty signed in 1996, which mandates the construction of equal-sized underground powerhouses, each with a capacity of 3,240 MW, on both sides of the Mahakali River in India and Nepal.

In addition to generating electricity, the Pancheshwar Project will provide irrigation to 130,000 hectares of land in Nepal and 240,000 hectares in India, along with other ancillary benefits such as flood protection.

However, the finalisation of a mutually acceptable DPR for the Pancheshwar Project has been hindered by disagreements on certain contentious issues. Bhetuwal explained, "There were more than 500 unresolved issues which have now come down to 127."

The forthcoming meeting of experts, for which the date is yet to be finalised, marks the initial step towards concluding the DPR. This follows the commitment made by the prime ministers of both countries during Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda's visit to India from May 31 to June 3, where it was agreed that officials from both governments would expedite bilateral discussions to finalise the Pancheshwar DPR within three months.

According to a media report, Nepal and India have reached an agreement to convene a meeting of experts in order to address differences and finalise the detailed project report (DPR) for the highly anticipated 6,480 megawatt Pancheshwar Multipurpose bi-national power plant. The power plant will be developed along the bordering Mahakali River. The decision was made during a meeting of the governing council of the Pancheshwar Development Authority, which took place in Pokhara, Nepal.The report quoted Madhu Bhetuwal, the spokesperson for Nepal's Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, stating, The meeting decided to extend the term of the team of experts which expired in March. He further added, The two sides also agreed to hold the next meeting of the team of experts within 10 days to iron out the differences over the DPR and make a move towards concluding the DPR.The Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project (PMP) is a collaborative effort between Nepal and India, aiming to construct a hydroelectric power project on the Mahakali River, which forms the border between the two countries. The project is governed by the integrated Mahakali Treaty signed in 1996, which mandates the construction of equal-sized underground powerhouses, each with a capacity of 3,240 MW, on both sides of the Mahakali River in India and Nepal.In addition to generating electricity, the Pancheshwar Project will provide irrigation to 130,000 hectares of land in Nepal and 240,000 hectares in India, along with other ancillary benefits such as flood protection.However, the finalisation of a mutually acceptable DPR for the Pancheshwar Project has been hindered by disagreements on certain contentious issues. Bhetuwal explained, There were more than 500 unresolved issues which have now come down to 127.The forthcoming meeting of experts, for which the date is yet to be finalised, marks the initial step towards concluding the DPR. This follows the commitment made by the prime ministers of both countries during Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda's visit to India from May 31 to June 3, where it was agreed that officials from both governments would expedite bilateral discussions to finalise the Pancheshwar DPR within three months.

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