Melamchi Matter
Though the Melamchi water project has been advanced for long as the one-project solution
to the Kathmandu Valley's perennial drinking water scarcity problem, it is not unnatural
to hear of scepticism regarding whether the project will have a smooth run. It is the
biggest project ever undertaken in Nepal with many donors contributing to its budget. The
primary reason for the doubt regarding the Melamchi project has basically to do with the
funds. The latest development whereby the World Bank withdrew from this project again
raised concern about the fate of Melamchi. But in an interview with this paper the
Executive Director of the Melamchi Water Development Board said the government was
confident that the gap left by the World Bank's withdrawal would be filled by other
donors. Melamchi, indeed, is one of the top priorities of the government and the donors
are also aware that it is the promised lifeline of the Kathmandu Valley. There is a
general consensus among all that this project must be completed, if the Kathmandu Valley
is to be liveable in the future. Without a sufficient supply of drinking water, no city
can be considered habitable, let alone the capital.
Melamchi has been the talk of the Valley for over 10 years
now. But actually the project started only recently after the funding was secured. The
Valley dwellers consider it good news that the project has actually taken off with the
main access road being built now, which is a prerequisite to construct the tunnel. Seventy
per cent of the 18-kilometre long access road has been completed and it will be useable by
the end of this fiscal year. Along with it is the works regarding land acquisition and
compensation. Fair compensation to the people whose land is going to be acquired by the
project is essential. So is the faithful adherence to environmental norms and guidelines
in building various components of the water project. The assurance from the project chief
that these aspects are being well taken care of is welcome. Melamchi does represent a
project with myriad challenges-technical, economical, environmental and social. They range
from the construction of the tunnel to the choice of the private party to manage the water
system to the improvement in the distribution networks. But these challenges must be met
with determination by the government and the project must be completed within the
stipulated time.
Other Story
|
