MP Warns of Water Supply Disruption Over Melamchi Project Issues

Kathmandu. National Independent Party (NIP) MP Rajunath Pandey has warned that residents of the Melamchi Water Supply Project's source area will cut off the supply to Kathmandu if they do not receive water. Speaking at a meeting of the Infrastructure Development Committee on Wednesday, MP Pandey expressed anger that the local residents of Gokarneshwor Municipality were suffering from thirst. He stated that residents of Sundarijal and Gokarneshwor, where the Melamchi source area and dam are located, are not able to consume water. MP Pandey accused employees of collusion in the water distribution system, stating that this causes hardship for the general public. He objected to the system's negligence, saying that employees arbitrarily release water to some localities and not others. He added that he himself experienced irresponsible behavior and mismanagement by employees when installing water, and that the condition of the general public is even more dire. He said at the meeting, 'The dam is in Gokarneshwor, but residents of wards 1 to 9 there are suffering from lack of water. It is no longer tolerable for residents of the source area not to get water while it is sent elsewhere. If the local problem is not addressed immediately, we will be forced to stop the dam and block the water. I am not one to just give assurances like other leaders; if the people of Gokarna do not get water, I will personally lead the effort to stop the water.' Raising the issue of the contract for the 20 million liter capacity water tank being constructed in the Arubari area being canceled and moving to a new process, MP Pandey said that the delay in the second phase of pipeline expansion has further burdened the locals. He urged the Kathmandu Valley Water Supply Limited (KUKL) and the project's engineers and employees to improve their work style. Stating that public dissatisfaction has reached its peak due to the slowness and irresponsibility in the bureaucracy, he demanded immediate field monitoring and problem-solving. He stated that he will not hesitate to take strict measures such as breaking pipes or obstructing the source if the government ignores the suffering of the people in his constituency.