KATHMANDU: A breakthrough in the Melamchi water project's tunnel construction has been expected within the next 20 days if things go according to plan.

The tunnel construction is the important part of the long-awaited project.

Out of the 27.5 kilometres tunnel under the project, only 240 metres of the nine-kilometre section from Gyalthum to Sindhu remain to be dug now.

Speaking at a ceremony organised on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL), Minister for Water Supply and Sanitation, Mahendra Yadav, shared this information.

The project is capable of supplying 170 million litres of water daily to the people of Kathmandu and 340 million litres of water will still be needed to meet the demand in the valley.

Minister Yadav said KUKL should pay attention to ensure rights of the Kathmandu denizens to drinking water and sanitation facilities. These are the basic rights of people guaranteed by the constitution.