DAMAULI: A Chepang community in Odhare of Byas Municipality-11 has been reeling under an acute water shortage in recent times.

Chepangs residing in the area have claimed that leaders of various political parties have failed to address their water crisis issue despite assuring them of solving it during the time of elections. However, after the elections, leaders have turned their back on our drinking water issue.

One of the locals Muna Chepang said, "There is no one to solve our problem."

Tanahun Chapter of Nepal Chepang Forum Chairman Ram Bahadur Chepang said, "We have been compelled to drink muddy water since two decades. There are 25 Chepang houses in the area and they have to walk for two hours to nearby spout in Veerpani to collect muddy water."

"Leaders have used us as a vote bank but they have not understood our problems," he laments.

Locals Kes Maya and Mamata Bhujel said our daily household activities have been hampered as we have to wait for hours in a queue to fill our jerrycans.

Drinking Water and Sanitation Division Office Tanahun Chief Chakrapani Sharma Acharya said a central level lifting water project is being constructed near the Chepang settlement.

"After the completion of the project, they will get to drink clean drinking water in their doorsteps," Acharya shared.

Likewise, Byas Municipality-11 Ward Chair Nir Bahadur Khadka said, "A central level drinking water lifting project is under-construction to supply clean drinking water to 100 families residing in Archalchaur, Odhare and Ramche."

He further claimed that the project will be completed within two years and drinking water will be supplied to meet their demands.

The project is estimated to cost Rs 20 million.