Melamchi Water project to receive NRS2 billion from ADB

Kathmandu: The Melamchi water supply project will receive an NRS2 billion subsidy from the Asian Development Bank. The headbox of the project was severely damaged by the flood and landslide of 2078, which prevented it from operating. To address this, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has provided a grant of about NRS2 billion ($19.75 million) for the construction of the headbox, according to Suresh Acharya, secretary of the Ministry of Water Supply.

ADB has granted more than NRS2 billion in grant, according to Secretary Acharya, and plans are underway to construct a headbox at a height of roughly 1,000 meters. The headbox's whole structure was covered by stones and debris that washed away with the flood, he said.

Over the previous two years, ADB has been advising the Nepali government to relocate the headbox to a secure location; nevertheless, the Council of Ministers meeting just granted the principled consent a few days ago. The government's approval has allowed the project to begin the consultant selection process for moving the headbox.

The project will be finished in four years. The project is expected to come with a price tag of roughly NRS3.5 billion.