Nanggedada Drinking Water Project Fails to Deliver Water Despite Inauguration

Sindhuli. More than a year after its inauguration with the goal of providing drinking water service to about 2600 households, consumers have complained that they have not received water at home from the 'Nanggedada Grand Pumping Drinking Water Project'.

The project, which has been operational in SunKoshi Rural Municipality-5 and 6, was implemented through the Federal Drinking Water and Sewerage Management Project Office, Ramechhap. The construction of the project was awarded to Mrit Sanjivani Construction Service, while NNK Construction Service worked as a sub-contractor. The SunKoshi Rural Municipality and the consumer committee coordinated the project, with the Ministry of Drinking Water holding the policy responsibility.

The total cost of the project is said to be around 48 crore rupees. Although the initial contract amount was 34 crore, it was later revised to about 38 crore, according to knowledgeable sources. The contract was signed on Asar 9, 2079, and the completion date was set for Asar 29, 2082.

The project was inaugurated on May 1, 2082 (Baisakh 18, 2082 BS) with the then Federal Minister of Drinking Water, Pradip Yadav, as the chief guest. The program was attended by then Federal Member of Parliament Lekhnath Dahal (Rajan), Secretary of the Ministry of Drinking Water E. Pramiladevi Shakya Bajracharya, Rural Municipality Chairperson Deepa Bohora Dahal, Vice-Chairperson Kapil Kumar Koirala, Department Chief, staff, Ward Chairpersons, and stakeholders. However, according to consumers, on the day of the inauguration, a ribbon was cut after showing water from a single tap installed at the first reserve tank of the project. Since then, they claim, water has not been supplied regularly.

According to the contract, branch pipes were to be extended to every settlement along with the main distribution line, and the responsibility for constructing household taps and installing pipes lay with the rural municipality and the consumer committee. Local residents say that the rural municipality had made a written commitment to bear the amount of about 47 lakh rupees for labor contribution. However, they complain that the municipality has not yet deposited a single rupee.

Although the rural municipality has initiated the process of purchasing tap meters with the allocated Rs 25 lakh from the fiscal year 2082/083, the consumer committee has stated that only about 1,400 meters can be purchased with this amount, leaving a deficit of about 1,200 meters. It is estimated that an additional 1 crore rupees may be required to manage the necessary pipes, tap construction, and remaining meters for household installation.

Local residents complain that despite meeting with MP Ashish Gajurel and making written requests, there has been no response. Sources say that the consumer committee is preparing to resign, finding it difficult to bring the project into full operation.

Local consumers claim that the water pumping motor is damaged, the GI pipes and gate valves are rusted, and the main reserve tank and the boundary wall and entrance of the project office have also been vandalized.

Local residents have accused the project of being left in limbo due to collusion between the representatives, contractors, and the project office. However, no official response has been received from the rural municipality, the construction company, or the Federal Drinking Water and Sewerage Management Project Office regarding this matter.

Local residents have demanded an impartial investigation into the actual status, expenditure details, and quality of the project by the relevant bodies, legal action against those found guilty, and immediate operationalization of the project.