Kathmandu, September 13 :

Minister for Physical Planning and Works Gopal Man Shrestha said here today that the government is committed to completing the Melamchi water project “within the stipulated time” and providing enough drinking water to the denizens of the valley.

The 10th plan of the government aims to provide water and sanitation services to all people in the country, Shrestha said.

“People should have access to water and healthy environment,” he said at an international conference on ‘Management of Water, Wastewater and Environment: Challenges for the Developing Countries”, organised, among others, by the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works.

Minister of State for Water Resources Gyanendra Bahadur Karki said, “The improper distribution of drinking water, especially in the Valley, should be a matter of great concern for the authorities.” Stating that 76.9 per cent of the population has access to drinking water and 39 per cent of the population has access to improved sanitation facility, he said, “A lot needs to be done in this sector.” He urged the agencies involved in water supply, irrigation, hydropower generation, wastewater management and environmental well-being to join forces to address the issues related to the integrated water resources management.