Embankment work gathers pace to protect Susta from erosion

The Narayani river's relentless erosion poses an annual threat to Susta, a settlement in Nepal that has seen its administrative status diminish due to recurring floods. This year, a critical embankment project is in full swing, a testament to the government's commitment to safeguarding its citizens and land.

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The time is short, but the work must be completed within this period. On the very day I was transferred to Chitwan, I reported to the site in Susta. If the embankment is not completed before the monsoon, the risk of Susta being swept away increases.

The Irrigation and Water Resources Management Office in Bharatpur, under the leadership of Narayan Subedi, is spearheading this high-stakes endeavor. Work commenced in early March, with an ambitious target for completion by June, just as the monsoon season approaches. Subedi emphasizes the urgency, stating that the embankment's completion before the monsoon is crucial to prevent Susta from being washed away.

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We are under pressure to complete Rs140 million worth of work within roughly 90 days. As the budget was released late, the timeframe after completing procedures became very tight.

Despite the tight schedule and the late release of funds, the project is a showcase of efficient execution. Around 175 laborers and 50 tractors are working tirelessly, day and night, to construct a kilometer-long embankment. This rapid progress, monitored closely by office staff and project officials, demonstrates Nepal's capability to undertake and complete significant infrastructure projects within compressed timelines, a feat that has drawn praise from local and national authorities.

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The embankment work in Susta is set to demonstrate that such projects can be completed within 90 days in Nepal.