Several projects under the Lumbini Province government, costing millions, remain incomplete due to insufficient budget allocation.

Twenty lift drinking water supply projects, initiated in the fiscal year 2018/19, have stalled. These projects, requiring significant funding, have struggled to progress due to minimal budget allocation, according to Raj Kishor Mandal, Chief of the Water Supply and Sanitation Division in Pyuthan. While some work was completed in the initial years, the lack of consistent funding has left the projects classified as complex and unfinished.

“The work was completed as per the budget received in the first year,” Mandal said. “Due to irregular and insufficient funding, we have categorized 20 projects as complex drinking water projects.” He added that a request has been made to the ministry for additional funding to complete the projects and operationalize the water supply.

The Luplung Lift Drinking Water Project, with an estimated cost of Rs 54.515m, has so far spent only Rs 833,000 in Naubahini Rural Municipality-8. “Not a single penny has been allocated in the last two years,” said Hemanta Raj Bhandari, Chairperson of the project construction consumer committee. “One government allocated funds, and the next reduced them.” Despite budget constraints, the construction of three tanks and a pump house for the three-stage lift project, which began in 2019/20, has been completed.

Bhandari mentioned that the project’s bank account has been updated following reports that Rs 2m worth of pipes will be purchased from this year’s Rs 6.4m budget allocation, with the remaining funds used to continue construction. “We plan to sign an agreement by depositing one percent of the total amount on behalf of consumers. If funds are consistently provided and work progresses as scheduled, 380 households in Luplung will benefit.”

Efforts are underway to provide drinking water facilities through lift systems in water-scarce areas with no nearby water sources. Water shortages persist not only in rural regions but also in the district headquarters. The Jhimruk Large Lift Drinking Water Project, designed to serve Khalanga and surrounding areas, faces similar challenges. Estimated to cost Rs 98.269m, the project has already incurred Rs 18.3m in expenses. However, the five-stage lift project, initiated in 2019/20, has yet to become operational. If completed, it would benefit 557 households.

Lumbini Province’s Urban Development and Drinking Water Minister, Saroj Thapa, assured that funding will be secured for projects nearing completion. “Many projects have stalled due to budget shortages in previous years,” he said. “We will allocate funds based on project status—either by transferring funds within this fiscal year or incorporating them into next year’s budget.”

So far, Rs 224.73m has been spent on 20 drinking water projects, which have an estimated total cost of Rs 842m. However, none of these projects have been operationalized.

Additionally, under the Climate Adaptation Comprehensive Drinking Water Project, several projects have been classified as complex, including the Pangraghat, Pyuthan, Satmule Barjivang, Bangesal, and Hanspur Drinking Water Projects. These initiatives, launched in 2014/15, remain unfinished. To date, Rs 122.8m has been spent on these projects, which have a combined estimated cost of Rs 269m.