Kathmandu, Jan 9: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal laid the foundation stone for the construction of a canal named 'Khokana Rajkulo Muhan' amid a function here today.
The construction of the project at local Nakkhu river in Lalitpur Metropolitan City-21 will use new technology. The Khokana Rajkulo irrigation system, operational since around 300 years, had been managed by chiefs of the village. Now the Khokana Rajkulo management committee is overseeing it. The project is expected to irrigate around 10,000 ropani of lands at Chhampi, Thecho, Bungmati, Bhaisepati and Khokana, directly benefitting around 7,000 people from approximately 2,000 families.
Responding to demands of the local people, the Ministry for the fiscal year, 2021/22 has allocated Rs 13 million for the conservation of the water source and Rs 4 million for the construction of a canal.
On the occasion, the minister has urged local people to gain economic incomes through agricultural produces by saving fertile lands instead of plotting them for sale. Stressing the need for increasing productions through collective farming, the minister said, "We together do collective farming. I also want to involve and do farming."
Stating that Khokana, primarily known for mustard oil, is also rich in culture and agriculture, she directed the concerned authority to complete the project in time. "I will do manage monitoring of the construction work by consumers. You (consumers) should become active at the local level."
In another context, she underscored the need for raising living standards of people for a journey to socialism.
Similarly, the ministry secretary Sagar Kumar Rai said that the ministry would constantly help protect and conserve the canal.
Also, ward chair of the metropolis-21 Rabindra Maharjan said that he would focus on discouraging land plotting in the days to come.