Dadeldhura, March 20 It has been found that only 14 per cent of the total drinking water projects in different VDCs and municipalities of Dadeldhura district are operational. According to a survey carried out by drinking water and sanitation division office, the completed projects have yet to become operational in the district. The survey revealed that hundreds of water projects in 18 VDCs and two municipalities of the district were in a dilapidated state and on the verge of shutting down. The projects could not sustain for want of proper monitoring and repairs. Rajendra Shakya, chief at the division office, said although various non-governmental organisations had invested a huge amount in the projects, some of them were about to shut down. “Around 86 per cent of the drinking water projects are dilapidated while some of them can be operated after minor repairs,” Shakya said. He added that initiatives to repair and maintain the water projects should be taken from the local level.