Government working on storage projects on rivers flowing from Nepal to control flooding: Uma Bharti

NEW DELHI: India is working to have storage projects on rivers flowing into India from Nepal to control flooding, the government told Rajya Sabha today.

Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti, in a written reply, said the problem of flooding in India in rivers flowing from Nepal is not due to release of water by Nepal.

"In fact, it is because there are no storage projects in Nepal on these rivers. India is endeavouring to have storage projects at potential sites on these rivers," the minister said.

For instance, she said, Indo-Nepal Pancheswar Development Authority ( PDA) has been set up for undertaking Pancheshwar Multipurpose project on Mahakali River (Sarada in India).

Besides, preparation of DPRs of Sapta Kosi High Dam Project, Sun Kosi Storage-cum-Diversion projects and feasibility study of Kamala Dam projects have also been undertaken, she added.

Responding to another question, Bharti said the extension of tenure of Indo-Nepal Joint Project Office Sapta Kosi Sun Kosi Investigation (JPO-SKSKI) for a further period of two years beyond February 28, 2015 has been approved.