Kathmandu, February 7
It is seen that water pipes are yet to be laid on about 650 kilometers of roads in the area within the ring road of Kathmandu.
In Kathmandu, about 150 kilometers of work has been done in the area of 800 kilometers under construction under the project of laying new pipes to distribute water of Melamchi Drinking Water Project.
According to Ujwal Prajapati, spokesperson of the Project Implementation Directorate (PID) of Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL), work is underway with the Kathmandu
Metropolitan City and Road Department to get permission to dig roads.
Currently, work is underway to lay pipes in Dhumbarahi, Maharajgunj, Samakhusi, Nayabazar, Kalanki, Kalimati and other areas. Spokesperson Prajapati said that the work of laying pipes in about 150 km of the area has been completed and 650 km of work remains to be done.
However, the Department of Roads has said it will not allow PID unless it commits to road
repairs immediately. Shivahari Sapkota, director general of the road department, says that
permission cannot be given in the status quo as the road is being dug and abandoned in the old style.
According to PID, a contract has also been signed to lay a new wholesale distribution line from Sandarijal to Chabahil. Laying pipes in this way has increased the problem of dust and mud on the roads as in the past.
So far, PID has laid 77 kilometers of wholesale distribution lines and 1,000 kilometers of
distribution lines. 10 water tanks have also been constructed. PID has already tested about 400 kilometers of pipeline.
The work of testing the new distribution line has been delayed due to lack of water as the
Melamchi water supply has been cut off since last Ashar 2078.
By Karuna Thapa
