June 25 : Only 41 percent of the total workers is engaged in the construction works of the Melamchi Water Supply Project (MWSP) after the imposition of the ongoing national lockdown, reports nayapatrikadaily.com.
Before such imposition on March 24, a total of 400 workers were involved in the MWSP. But the very number now has reduced to 164, including 104 Nepali and 60 Chinese workers.
Chief of the MWSP, Tiresh Prasad Khatri, admits that the contraction in the size of the workforce is hampering the development pace of the project.
“There are provisions for the smooth transportation of construction materials needed for the project particularly in the lockdown period, but the same is not happening. And, this now has proved another serious setback for its construction,” he further laments.
Moreover, the obstructions posed frequently by various suppliers demanding their due payments are also impeding the project development.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Water Supply and Sanitation has flatly refused to specify a date for the completion of the much-awaited Melamchi Water Supply Project (MWSP).
During a meeting of the Development Committee under the Federal Parliament on Wednesday (June 24), Madhav Belbase, secretary of the ministry, made such a refusal.
“The ministry does not want to get embroiled in controversy by setting the completion date for the project. Nonetheless, we are doing our best to accomplish it at the soonest,” he said.
Speaking during the meet, Minister for Water Supply and Sanitation, Bina Magar, informed that the basic infrastructure works related to the project will be completed in this fiscal so as to start supplying its water to the Kathmandu Valley from the first month i.e July/August of the upcoming fiscal.
