Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, March 14:

The government has demanded extra money for providing security to a government-sponsored multinational project site, Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Keshav Sthapit said today.

Sthapit said he has requested the government to provide security to the Melamchi Water Supply Project in Melamchi village located some 30 km away from the capital. However, the government has said that the project will have to bear the expenses of sending security forces and their equipment, including a camouflage helicopter. "The extra cost would be around Rs 2 billion per year. Melamchi project has the money but the government should desist from withdrawing money on any given pretext," he said while talking to this daily today.

The contractors stopped working in Melamchi two weeks ago after the Maoists threatened them to quit the project.

The mayor who is also a member of the Melamchi Drinking Water Board requested the government for necessary security measures so that construction work can be resumed. He further charged the government for not keeping the project in its priority list which is being run on $464 million international loans and grants.

"This project is expected to provide water to two million people living in the capital. If the government is not interested in the project meeting the deadline, then how can the people get water on time?" he asked. He also urged the Maoists to stop harassing the Melamchi contractors. "If the Maoists are real politicians then they should use their power to force the government and the contractors to complete the project on time. By doing so they will win the hearts of the Valleyites," he said.