KATHMANDU, JANUARY 15

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' said the Nepal government has been effortful to provide safe and sustainable drinking water service to the growing population of the Kathmandu Valley.

In his address to the inauguration of Melamchi drinking water diversion and redistribution held at Singhadurbar this morning, PM Dahal said the second phase of Yangri and Larke rivers diversion will be taken ahead with specific action plan for sustainable arrangement of drinking water.

On the occasion, PM Dahal stressed the need to resolve the issue of drinking water in view of its growing demand with the rise in the Kathmandu populace.

"The government is effortful to provide safe and sustainable drinking water service. The construction of the head box of Melamchi drinking water project will be completed soon and the concrete action plan will be placed to take ahead the second phase of Yangri and Larke rivers diversion.

A comprehensive study and concrete action plan will be placed to reconstruct the project as a long-term solution of the project, the PM said, adding he had directed the concerned authorities to make arrangement to operate the existing alternative systems throughout the year.