The drinking water project initiated 13 years ago to supply water to three wards of Jaljala rural municipality in Parbat remains incomplete. Jaljala, located near Benibazar in Myagdi, began constructing the Jaljala Kukurchihan drinking water project in 2011 to provide water to 500 households across various settlements, including Malgaon, Arubot, Dadakateri and Falamedanda.
According to Tilakbahadur GC, ward Chairperson of Jaljala-5, the project has stalled due to inadequate budget allocation. “With an estimated cost of over Rs 30m, the project has only been receiving Rs 200,000 to Rs 500,000 annually, limiting progress,” he said. To date, only 65 houses in Banmade and Lopre have access to drinking water, with Rs 5m spent so far.
Despite the transfer of responsibility from the federal to the provincial government, insufficient funding has left residents disappointed. Sam Bahadur Tilija, secretary of the Jaljala Kukurchyan drinking water and sanitation consumers’ association, expressed frustration: “Thirteen years have passed waiting for water. The intake, reserve tanks and taps built as part of the project have fallen into disuse for want of water supply.”
The project aimed to source water from the Kukurchihan and Lopre forest springs at the base of Mohredada in Annapurna rural municipality-8 and distribute it to households via taps. Local resident Purkha Purja Pun emphasized the impact of the delay, noting that Falamedanda, a tourist destination included in the project, has been suffering from chronic water scarcity.
This fiscal year, Rs 21m has been allocated for the project under three headings. The provincial government has earmarked Rs 1m, while the Federal Ministry of Water Resources has allotted Rs 10m each for various segments of the Jaljala project.
Jaljala rural municipality Vice-chairperson Deepak Acharya stated that efforts are underway to coordinate federal and provincial budgets to avoid duplication. Project Office Chief Padam Bahadur Kunwar confirmed that work will be divided into phases to accelerate construction and ensure completion.
