Dadeldhura, March 19 -- Delays in the release of funds have hampered the effective operation of the Irrigation and Water Resources Management Project Office in Dadeldhura, established in July of the current fiscal year.

The office, set up in Kirtipur under the federal Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, has reported a budget crunch that has stalled its core functions.

The project, launched to expand irrigation infrastructure, strengthen river control, and improve water resource management, has faced administrative and policy hurdles since its inception.

Arun Kumar Shah, chief of the project office, noted that a budget of Rs 355.2 million was allocated at the start of the fiscal year for five major programmes. However, f...