Patna: The India-Nepal Joint Committee on the Kosi and Gandak Projects (JCKGP) concluded its 11th meeting over two days, resolving several long-standing issues related to the Kosi and Gandak barrages along the India-Nepal border. Both nations agreed that municipalities and village bodies on the Nepal side will not levy taxes on vehicles associated with the Kosi project that use service roads along the afflux bunds of the Kosi barrage.
Key Agreements Reached
Nepal agreed to take steps to ensure that local municipalities and gram palikas do not impose taxes on vehicles linked to the Kosi barrage project, as such charges are inconsistent with the India-Nepal agreement, according to a Bihar water resources department communique released on Saturday. In return, India committed to addressing waterlogging and improving drainage in the command areas of the Kosi main canal of the Birpur barrage across the Kosi and the Valmiki Nagar barrage on the Gandak. Joint teams from both sides will inspect affected areas before initiating necessary measures.
Regular Updates and Channel Maintenance
Nepal requested that the list of works to be undertaken be shared regularly. India agreed and said it would provide the list via email, along with satellite imagery as requested by the Nepal side. Both sides also agreed to take steps to keep the river's main channel centered within its flow. India informed that, according to the barrage gate operational manual, efforts are always made to maintain the main channel at the center of the river. Additionally, shoal loosening work is underway upstream of the river on the other side of the barrage during the pre-flood season this year, and work is also being done on the 2.5 km pilot channel downstream.
Delegation Details
The Indian delegation was led by Bihar Water Resources Department Principal Secretary Santosh Kumar Mall, while the Nepalese delegation was led by Director General Mitra Baral of the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation. The Indian team also included officers from the Union Jal Shakti Ministry, several Bihar officers, and engineers from the Water Resources Department.
Discussed Issues
The talks addressed issues related to the 35-km stretch of the Kosi main canal in Nepal, the eastern and western afflux bunds of the Birpur barrage on the Kosi, and embankments. The need to remove encroachments from the Gandak barrage area and the main western canal was raised, and Nepal agreed. Nepal also consented to shift electric poles from the bund of the western Kosi canal to make the service road free and allow canal strengthening work.
Anti-Erosion Work and Boundary Fixation
Nepal gave its consent to India's proposal for round-the-clock movement of materials for anti-erosion work in the wildlife sanctuary area along the eastern Kosi afflux bund. Both sides agreed to fix the boundary of the leased land of the Kosi barrage using GPS techniques and complete it on the ground within a specified timeframe.
Additional Measures
The two teams mutually agreed to create feasible structures on the Kosi barrage or find other ways to control vehicle speed on the barrage. Nepal also consented to take steps to stop fishing on the Kosi barrage and the practice of carrying wood on it.
