Rukum, February 25

Locals have obstructed construction of an urban drinking water project worth Rs 16 crore in Mushikot Municipality of Rukum.

The project is being constructed with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank under the third small urban drinking water and sanitation project in the district. The locals have created obstructions, saying they would face a water crisis if they allow construction of the project. “Locals here will be badly affected as the project would control all water sources,” said Chairman Narayan KC of the protest committee. He further added that as many as 200 households would be affected.

Meanwhile, drinking water consumers committee chairman Mahendra KC said the locals would soon lift the obstruction. “We have been searching for a better way to convince the locals,” he added. The construction the project had begun some two years ago and was expected to complete by the end of the ongoing fiscal year. The consumers committee said only the 40 percent works have been completed due to the local obstruction.

Project officials said as many as 1,300 households of the municipality would benefit from the project. “Filtered water taps will be installed in each household of the municipality,” said Mahendra KC of the consumers committee.