During a secretary-level between the two countries, it was agreed that works on the ambitious project – on the border of Uttarakhand and Nepal – would be expedited, 13 years after the project was first announced.
Following the meeting, officials told local media that there will be two bodies in the PDA – the governing body and the executive committee, both with equal number of representatives from the two countries. Nepal and India are expected to provide equal funds for the project.
The Pancheswor project was a major component of the Mahakali Treaty, originally signed by the two countries in 1996 to harness the Mahakali River. The political situation in Nepal led to the project being delayed.