Kathmandu, May 2:

Minister for Physical Planning and Works Hisila Yami today sought advice from experts on the possibility of handing over the management of Kathmadu valley-wide water distribution system of the Nepal Water Supply Corporation to a foreign private firm.

In a discussion with experts, Yami said that the process of privatisation should be transparent and the people must be informed about the history and recent developments.

Representatives of the Melamchi Water Project, NGO Forum for Urban Water and Sanitation, Water Users’ Federation and other private consultants took part in the meeting that took place at the minister’s quarter this evening.

Severn Trent, the only bidder to manage Kathmandu Valley’s water distribution system, has given an ultimatum to the government, saying that it will pack up if the government fails to make a decision on the matter by April 15.

Representative of the project told the minister that there was no option left for the government except to hand over the management of the distribution system to Severn Trent because it was the only bidder and the government failed to disqualify it.

“The minister questioned why the proposal of the one and the only part was accepted,” a source said.

If the project has to have a private manager, the government should give priority to Nepali managers, representative of the NGO Forum for Urban Water and Sanitation said.