Water crisis sparks protest

Lalitpur, March 22:

Lalitpur denizens facing water shortage have resorted to protests to pressure the department concerned to ensure regular water supply.

Shakya Suren, Coordinator of Lalitpur Civic Campaign said the drive was intended to draw the attention of authorities concerned to take immediate measures to relieve the locals from acute water shortage. The phase-wise protest is being jointly led by Lalitpur Civic Society and Water Struggle Committee for Patan Durbar Area with a slogan “Civic Campaign for People’s Concern”. They are also planning to hold a series of interactions with the locals before submitting a memorandum to the department concerned.

The agitating locals have demanded an alternative solution to water shortage, control of water leakage, and regular maintenance of pipelines. Rajesh Bajracharya, a local, claimed KUKL was doing nothing to ease water supply.

Ramesh Neupane, an official at distribution branch of Kathmandu Valley Drinking Water Ltd, blamed load-shedding and dry weather for the fall in water supply.