The project for the clean-up of the Bagmati River and its tributaries is expected to kick-start as soon as it receives the government nod. The government has already allocated a good amount for the Bagmati Improvement Project, which along with 50 other organisations, will undertake the job of cleaning the polluted river. The 27 km river has been divided into different segments so that the clean-up job can be carried out effectively in different phases. According to the original plan, envisaged by the United Nations, parks would be constructed on the river banks. The project is also planning to construct sewerage lines along both sides of the river, so that liquid wastes can be transferred to treatment plants.

In addition, the UN environment programme has also offered financial support for the project. Despite all these efforts and a lot of money spent on the project, which started several years ago, Bagmati continues to be one of the most polluted rivers. Lack of co-ordination among the organisations involved, particularly the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), which has been unable to provide alternatives for the management of solid wastes, has held back the project for so long. Moreover, the problem of squatters living alongside the riverbanks should be urgently dealt with. But most importantly, co-ordination between all the organisations involved, especially the local community, is imperative. Residents of the capital want results this time around.