Melamchi Coming

It seems now that the Melamchi Water Supply Project is set to take off in the real sense of the word. The swing between the two points may finally end with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) formally agreeing to provide a loan assistance of 120 million US dollars. The very fact that the total cost is some US $400 million, the project is not a small one.

The dateline set for the completion of the project is 2006 or some six years later if everything goes smoothly including the availability of additional funds needed. Herein, it is essential to take account of the project affected areas that include 14 villages. The provision to compensate for the affected people must also be given priority and in this direction it has been revealed that some 100 million rupees has been set aside.

The green signal seems to be there now that the pledge has been made by ADB. But the whole question revolves on whether the mega-project needs so much of a priority without going into the details and cost effectiveness of alternative projects. Singling out the Melamchi Project as the only way to deal with the water scarcity in Kathmandu valley must not be overlooked. It is not clear why other alternatives have not been given attention when there are a lot of options. The basic thing is that hardly much thought has been given to the storage of water in the monsoon to be used in the lean season. The tendency, since the restoration of democracy, is to only shout hoarse over the mega project.

It is true that Kathmandu faces a great shortage of potable water during the summer months. This is proved by the fact that long queues can be seen during those months for the water tankers to arrive or wait and watch for any signs of water trickling down from taps at home. Many a areas go totally dry. The scenario is bleak but, without even exploring other viable alternatives, talks always focus on Melamchi.

It is true that the duty of the government to see that the basic amenities are provided to the people in such a way that undue financial burden is not put on their shoulders. This applies to not only water but electricity, telephone and a host of other requirements. If bringing a project leads to a hefty tariff increase in a country where people are already burdened, there might be reason enough for an in-depth analysis as to its overall contribution. Melamchi is one project that has fired the imagination of a host of planners, experts and the people of Kathmandu valley as well as those areas that will be affected when the project goes in full swing. And Melamchi is not the panacea for all time to come. Moreover, while the project comes to fruition the demand will have increased all the more. Will it be able to meet the demand then? Only projections can tell and the rate of growth of the valley population.

A project in itself may not be bad but its ramifications have to be taken into account. It is all well that the residents of the valley will gain by being supplied enough drinking water sometime in 2006 but till then the strategy for dealing with the water crunch is lost in the maze. Only the summer season reminds the concerned authorities of the gravity of the problem but come rain then all is forgotten till next time around when the tongue becomes parched. It is sustainable projects that come within the carrying capacity of the country that need priority. And, Kathmandu valley is not the whole country. Then, is the focus of the whole country on this one Melamchi project worth it?