India has initiated over 550 High Impact Community Development Projects in Nepal since 2003
In another step towards enhancing the Nepal-India Development Cooperation, the Maheshfaat Irrigation Project, located in the Galchhi Rural Municipality of Dhading district, has been inaugurated recently.
 
This project, built with the financial assistance of NRs.8.82 million from the Government of India, marks a substantial contribution to the region's agricultural and economic development.
 
The inauguration event on Sunday (January 29, 2024) was graced by Kedarnath Khatiwada, Chairman of Galchhi Rural Municipality, Dhading, and Prashant Kumar Sona, Second Secretary of the Embassy of India in Kathmandu. The occasion also saw the presence of representatives from various political parties, government officials, social workers, and members of the local communities.
 
The Maheshfaat Irrigation Project, a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP), was implemented under an agreement between the Governments of India and Nepal. The project, which was executed through the Galchhi Rural Municipality, is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing crop production in the area, thereby improving the livelihood and economic status of local farmers.
 
Since 2003, India has initiated over 550 HICDPs across Nepal, covering a broad spectrum of sectors, with 488 of these projects already completed. Within the Bagmati Province, where Dhading is located, 106 projects have been undertaken, including five in Dhading district.
 
Additionally, the Government of India has gifted 974 ambulances and 234 school buses to various hospitals, health posts, and educational institutions across Nepal, commemorating the occasions of India's Independence Day and Republic Day. Of these, 232 ambulances and 90 school buses have been allocated to the Bagmati Province, which includes 15 ambulances and 2 school buses for Dhading District.
 
The implementation of HICDPs is a part of India's ongoing support in complementing the efforts of the Government of Nepal to uplift the lives of its citizens. This cooperation extends to augmenting infrastructure across several priority sectors, including irrigation and drinking water management. The Maheshfaat Irrigation Project unites the neighbours in their pursuit of symbiotic regional development and prosperity.