Kathmandu, February 2:

The renovation of the traditional irrigation canal in Khokana and construction of a wastewater treatment plant was concluded and was handed over to the locals today.

LUMANTI, a Support Group for Shelters, initiated construction of the canal and the treatment plant in March 2006 to curb the two-decade-long scarcity of water in the area and sanitation problem, with the technical and financial assistance of UN-HABITAT, Water for Asian Cities Programme. These organisations handed over the project to the local users at a programme today,

Speaking at the programme, Kishor Thapa, joint secretary of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works, said such programmes would help enhance agricultural productivity and capacity of the locals. He stressed the need for replicating such programmes in the near future, hoping that it would help in the economic growth of the locals.

The traditional water supply system joining Khokana with Lele through Raj Kulo (canal) was destroyed and was blocked 20 years ago and 692 families of Khokana suffered due to the water scarcity.

The blocked and broken channels are now renovated and cemented walls have been made in the canals. The main irrigation canal near the village has been tapped and channelled through the 800-metre-long irrigation canals to bring water to the village. The wastewater treatment plant has been constructed to treat wastewater generated by around 25 households of Sanu Khokana. Along with the treatment of wastewater, biogas is generated and serves as cooking fuel for the locals.

Dr Roshan Raj Shrestha, chief technical adviser, UN-HABITAT, said the project could work as a model for other places. He said such projects would help achieve sustainable development and environment management.