KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on Wednesday has directed the authorities of the Melamchi Drinking Water Project to expedite work to complete the project in stipulated time. 'I fully assure the Melamchi project that government is ready to support and cooperate in any capacity to complete this project on time,' PM Deuba said during a commission field visit. 'Kathmandu need clean drinking water as it is must for denizens and the capital city holds many significant importance so Malamchi needs to supply water at the earliest,' PM stressed. Despite many huddles the project is moving ahead in right direction which is pleasing, Deuba added. The Melamchi Drinking Water Project Chief Ram Chandra Devkota said only 2.9 kilometres of tunnel is left to be dug. He further said the construction of the tunnel is being carried out from four different locations. However, some geological challenges have hindered the digging of tunnel from three locations, Devkota shared. Devkota also submitted the report of the project to PM Sher Bahadur Deuba. On the occasion, Minister for Information and Communication Mohan Bahadur Basnet, Minister for Water Supply and Sanitation Mahendra Yadav and Secretary Bhim Prasad Upadhayay were also present. The much awaited and one of Nepal's National Pride Project is scheduled to be completed by March 2018. The 27 km long tunnel project is estimated to cost around Rs 23 billion of which 22.5 billion has already been spent. After assuming the office, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba had directed various projects including the Narayangardh-Muglin Road Section and Melamchi Drinking Water Project. He had also directed the concerned officials to fill pit-holes in Kathmandu roads.