Kathmandu, 10 November — Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development, Kulman Ghising, has requested the Helambu Rural Municipality to take necessary initiatives to remove the obstruction occurring at the Melamchi Drinking Water Project’s source area.
After the residents affected by the project shut down the water source demanding the implementation of past agreements, the supply of drinking water to the Kathmandu Valley was halted. Consequently, on Monday, Minister Ghising requested Helambu Rural Municipality Chairperson Nima Gyaljen Sherpa to take necessary initiatives and provide support to resolve the issue.
Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Monday directed officials to resolve the problem that has emerged in the Melamchi Drinking Water Project. At present, Prime Minister Karki herself is handling the responsibilities of the Ministry of Drinking Water.
Referring to past agreements and current demands, Minister Ghising stated that the government is ready to resolve issues through dialogue and discussion. He urged serious attention to the matter, as the suspension of water supply from Melamchi has already begun causing drinking water problems in the Kathmandu Valley. He further assured that the government is working to resolve the issue and restore water supply to the valley as quickly as possible.
Helambu Rural Municipality Chairperson Sherpa stated that the government must implement the agreements made in the past. He mentioned that the project should pay compensation for land and house rent acquired, settle the outstanding payments due to suppliers from the previous contractor CMC, construct the road from Melamchi Bazaar to Melamchi Ghyang, and allocate 25 percent of the revenue from drinking water sold by Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited—based on the water received at Sundarijal after diversion from the Melamchi River—for the development of Helambu Rural Municipality.
Immediately, on 7 October 2024, an agreement was reached between the Melamchi Drinking Water Flood-Affected Struggle Committee, Helambu Rural Municipality, and representatives of the active political parties in the municipality, in coordination with the Minister of Drinking Water.
