The 40 per cent work of the Water Purification Project that started by the Nepal Water Supply Corporation has been completed.
Along with the treatment plant, work is also underway to extend 110 kilometers of pipeline to be laid within the Pokhara Metropolitan City.
The work of water supply in Pokhara has not been paused despite the lockdown enforced by the government to curb the spread of the Coronavirus.
The dream of drinking the pure water of Pokhara people for years will become true with the completion of the water purification project.
Even though Pokhara is known as a beautiful and clean tourist city, the problem of shallow water falling into the streams of houses in Pokhara amid the rainy season was a reality of every household, however, it is expected to be resolved soon.
“Work on Mardi Khola Water Treatment Project, the second largest project in terms of investment after Melamchi Drinking Water Project, is in full swing with a loan agreement of Rs. 4.81 billion. More than 40 percent of the project completed by mid-May,” said Ashish Karki, Deputy Chief Engineer of the project.
Karki said that the pipeline has been set up with the financial support of the JICA. Hazama Ando Corporation, a Japanese construction company had a target to complete the work within three years but the work was delayed due to the last year’s first wave of COVID-19 pandemic.
The problem of clean drinking water in Pokhara is dire at the moment. Consumers have been suffering due to a lack of a regular supply of water. The water supply has been cut off for a few days.
It is believed that the completion of JICA’s drinking water project, will only not solve the water problem but will also supply clean drinking water.
With the support of JICA, the pipeline has been extended from Mardikhola, a source of drinking water, to various places in the market area.
Santosh Kumar Das, Engineer of Nepal Water Supply Corporation said that the main distribution line and service line of drinking water will be expanded. According to him, the 110 km pipe extension has reached the final stage.
Deputy Chief Engineer of the project and, head of the Pokhara branch office Ashish Karki said, “There is a plan to expand 13 kilometers transmission line and 9 km main distribution line. The project has been commenced with a target to complete it within three years.”
Karki said that about 40 percent of the work has been completed as per the target progress. The number of workers has added to complete the project in the stipulated time. “We are committed to distributing clean drinking water to the consumers of Pokhara on time.”, added Karki.
According to Karki, the water holding capacity of the tank is 2 million liters. The Nepal Water Supply Corporation has already extended the pipe to Prithvi Chowk. The corporation has stated that the 10-inch pipeline has been expanded, adding that it will expand the pipe from 6 inches to 20 inches. Expansion work of laying the pipes in the Manipal area has been completed.
There is a daily demand of 45 million liters of water in Pokhara. At present, water is supplied for 4 to 8 hours daily depending on the area. The corporation has been supplying in all places on substitute days, but the water supply has not been able to meet the demand of customers. Home connections are also being installed under the JICA project.
The Nepal Water Supply Corporation is working with local Sundar Construction Services, Sushil Construction, ADB Engineering Service Pvt. Ltd. to install water pipelines on the residencies. However, the corporation has not been able to pay attention to water management in all 33 wards of Pokhara Metropolitan City.
It is estimated that about 45,000 taps have been connected by the Nepal Water Supply Corporation Pokhara till now. Water has been distributed to Mardikhola, Bhotikhola, Kalimudha, and Baldhara. Whereas Phulbari, Pardi, Himalitol, Chauthe and Matepani, Ratodada, Lovelidanda, and other areas receive water from deep boring.
Source : THE RISING NEPAL,
