Introduction
The Mahakali Treaty is an integrated agreement signed between Nepal and India regarding the development and sharing of water and electricity from the Mahakali River, covering Sarada Barrage, Tanakpur Barrage, and the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project.
Main Content
Key facts and provisions of the Mahakali Treaty include:
- Draft Signing: Signed on Magh 15, 2052 B.S. in Kathmandu by Foreign Minister Prakash Chandra Lohani (Nepal) and Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee (India).
- Final Signing: Signed on Magh 29, 2052 B.S. in New Delhi by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba (Nepal) and Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao (India).
- Parliamentary Ratification: Approved by a two-thirds majority in a joint session of both houses of Parliament on Ashoj 4, 2053 B.S.
- Three Main Projects:
- Sarada Barrage (integrating the 1920 land exchange agreement)
- Tanakpur Barrage (resolving the 1991 / 2048 B.S. debate)
- Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project (developed on equal investment and equal benefit basis)
- Key Provisions:
- Water sharing based on equal rights ("half and half" principle).
- Nepal receives 7 crore kilowatt-hours (70 million units) of electricity annually for free from Tanakpur Barrage.
- Irrigation water provided to Nepal from Tanakpur: 1,000 cusecs in monsoon and 300 cusecs in winter.
- Validity period: 75 years with a review provision every 10 years.
- Key Nepali Figures During Treaty: King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah, PM Sher Bahadur Deuba, Opposition Leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, Water Resources Minister Pashupati Shumsher J.B.R., Speaker Ram Chandra Poudel, and Study Task Force Coordinator KP Sharma Oli.
- Controversies: Criticism over referring to Mahakali River as "a boundary river in major parts" in the preamble, shadow over Limpiyadhura-Kalapani headwaters, division of CPN-UML leading to CPN-ML formation, and delays in DPR/construction of Pancheshwar Project after over 28 years.
Key Takeaways
- Draft was signed on Magh 15, 2052 B.S., and final treaty was signed on Magh 29, 2052 B.S.
- Parliament ratified the Mahakali Treaty on Ashoj 4, 2053 B.S. with a two-thirds majority.
- Under the treaty, Nepal receives 70 million units (7 crore kWh) of electricity annually free from Tanakpur Barrage.
- The treaty duration is fixed for 75 years with a review provision every 10 years.
What to Avoid
- Confusing the draft signing date (Magh 15, 2052 B.S.) with final signing date (Magh 29, 2052 B.S.).
- Misstating the free electricity amount as 20 million units (that was the earlier figure under Girija Prasad Koirala's tenure).
- Stating the duration of the treaty as 50 or 100 years instead of 75 years.
FAQ
Q1: When was the final Mahakali Treaty signed between Nepal and India? The final Mahakali Treaty was signed on Magh 29, 2052 B.S. in New Delhi by Prime Ministers Sher Bahadur Deuba and P.V. Narasimha Rao.
Q2: How much free electricity does Nepal receive annually from the Tanakpur Barrage under this treaty? Nepal receives 7 crore kilowatt-hours (70 million units) of electricity annually for free from Tanakpur Barrage.
Q3: What is the validity period of the Mahakali Treaty? The validity period of the Mahakali Treaty is 75 years, with a provision for review every 10 years.
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