Although the People’s Embankment Programme, a government-run project that builds embankment in flood-vulnerable communities in the southern plains, had started the construction of embankments along Narayani and Rapti rivers a decade ago, the construction work has yet to complete.

The project is currently overseen by Nayarani River Embankment Project Office. As per the plan, 35km of embankment in Chitwan, 105km in Rapti, and 63km in Nawalpur should be constructed. However, only 14km of embankment has been built in Narayani (Chitwan), 25km in Rapti and 11.8km in Nawalpur.

Mekhnath Sharma, chief at the project office, said the office has not been able to work as per the master plan.

“Limited budget has restricted our activities. This year, we only received Rs 50million to carry out works in Chitwan,” Sharma said.

In Nawalpur, officials said they have to construct embankment up to the Daunne area. Officials have estimated that Rs 3.79 billion would be needed to complete the construction work in Chitwan and Rs 6.72 billion in Nawalpur. “But the project has only received Rs 1.61 billion until now,” said Sharma.

Locals living near Narayani and Rapti rivers are worried about possible floods and soil erosions every year.

Om Rawat, officiating ward chairman at Bharatpur Metropolis Ward No. 16, said, “Locals are worried, as the construction of the embankment is going at a snail’s pace. The government should allocate sufficient budget to complete the construction work within the running fiscal year.”