5,600 MW Pancheshwar MPP-I: DPR approval at stake due to Nepal's laxity in resolving funding issues

The Nepalese authorities' inordinate delay in resolving the pending issue of funding for the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project (MPP) has resulted in a decade long wait for the formation of a mutually agreeable detailed project report (DPR).
 8During the recently convened Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) meeting, it was pointed out that Nepal is yet to furnish a detailed action plan to undertake identified field works of joint observation at the Pancheshwar and Rupaligad sites, along with necessary investigations for the proposed re-regulating dam at the alternative dam site of Rupaligad.
 8With no definite work plan or rough estimation of associated cost estimates in sight, the decision making process regarding funding has stalled. Moreover, the Terms of Reference (TOR) for establishment of the Pancheshwar Development Authority (PDA), whose responsibility includes finalization of project funding details, is still awaiting approval from the Indian government.
 8That apart, India is still to agree to single stage development of the 5,600 MW project and pay extra-cost towards irrigation, as requested by Nepal.
 8For reference purposes, the Pancheshwar (MPP) is proposed on river Mahakali, which forms the international boundary between India and Nepal. The project envisages a 315 metre high dam across the river Mahakali (known as Sarda in India) at about 2.5 Km. downstream of the confluence of river Sarju and Mahakali.