Govt effortful in managing water supply in Kathmandu Valley throughout the year

Minister for Water Supply Mahindra Raya Yadav has asserted that the government is effortful in managing water supply in the Kathmandu Valley throughout the year.

Addressing a program marking the 16th anniversary of Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) here on Tuesday, he said efforts are on to find available water sources at the various local levels in the Valley to that connection.

"There is a demand of 510 million liters water daily in the Valley, whereas we have been able to supply only 170 million liters at present," Minister Yadav said, adding that discussions are going on regarding the local governments identifying and conserving water sources at the local level for providing clean water to the Valley folks.

On the occasion, he stressed on the need of restructuring the KUKL for addressing the problem of water shortage in Kathmandu Valley. The Water Supply Minister also acknowledged that the state has not been able to supply adequate quantity of water to the Valley from the Melamchi Water Supply Project despite the passage of 22 years since making that promise.

According to him, the Melamchi Water Supply Project could not regularly supply water to the Valley due to the lack of physical structures, technical workforce and the required equipment, among other causes.

He also expressed concern over the drying up of water sources and brooks, and snow melting in the mountains due to the climate change, stressing on taking steps to mitigate this to prevent the impending water crisis in the country.