Pokhara, November 22

Contract signing for the proposed Bharatpokhari-Krishti-Nirmal Pokhari Sahalagani Drinking Water and Sanitation Project became possible after Khagaraj Acharya, ward chairperson of Pokhara metropolis-21 mortgaged his land to raise fund for the project.

According to rule, Rs 15 million was required as deposit money to sign the contract for the Rs 300 million project. But as there was a shortfall of four million rupees even after collecting certain amount from locals, Acharya mortgaged his land. Contract for the project was signed last Thursday.

“Five per cent deposit from locals was mandatory to sign the contract, but as all the locals couldn’t give money on time due to various reasons, I mortgaged my land and managed four million rupees,” he said, adding that the project would use deep boring and water lifting techniques.

“The project will not only provide water to the people of our ward but also to people of Ward No 33,” he said, adding, “A total of 2,097 households would benefit from the project. For the project, each household had chipped in Rs 15,000. The project will be completed in two-and-a-half years from the date of contract signing.”

“As per the concept of joint investment, consumers will invest 10 per cent while the local unit, along with other organisations, will invest additional 20 per cent, and the remaining 70 per cent will be invested by the government.

The project will call for tender once the remaining amount is collected,” said the water project secretary Khamraj Bhandari.