Kathmandu, May 15

The Development and Technology Committee of the Legislature-Parliament has directed the Ministry of Water Supply (MoWS) to resume construction works of the Melamchi Water Supply Project as soon as possible.

Citing that the government does not seem serious to resume construction works of the project and complete it on time, the committee’s meeting today sought government’s clear position and opinion regarding the development of Melamchi Water Supply Project with MoWS.

The fate of the water project has been in doubt since December last year after the Italian company, Cooperativa Muratori e Cementisti (CMC) di Ravenna, which was building the project, abandoned it. Moreover, failure of the government to give Melamchi Water Supply Project a proper and prompt direction has been lingering the project.

The Melamchi Water Supply Development Board (MWSDB) had earlier presented two options to the MoWS — calling separate tenders for remaining headworks and tunnel work or calling for a ‘multi-package’ tender allowing one capable contractor to complete all the remaining works of the project.

However, MoWS seems to be lingering the project as it has neither come up with another option nor decided on the options given by the board for the project to move ahead.

MWSDB officials have already said that they are in ready position to announce tenders for the construction of remaining works of the Melamchi water project and have been waiting for a nod from the government.

“Months have passed since the contractor left the Melamchi Water Supply Project. However, the government does not seem to be in a hurry to take the project construction ahead,” said Kalyani Kumari Khadka, chairperson of the committee.

Lawmakers at the meeting also warned the government not to politicise the project.

Addressing the meeting, Deependra Nath Sharma, secretary at MoWS, assured that issues regarding the Melamchi Water Supply Project will be addressed within one week and procedural decisions will be made on fast track basis to complete the project on time.

“We have already decided to complete the remaining construction works of the projects by dividing them into eight packages. We plan to complete all remaining works through Nepali contractors,” said Sharma.

Meanwhile, Minister for Water Supply Bina Magar said that different proposals regarding the construction of the water project will be tabled at the Cabinet soon. “Construction works of the project will resume soon,” she assured.