'Moving Melamchi Muhan is the last option'

Based on the study of Asian Development Bank (ADB), the main creditor of Melamchi, a preliminary proposal has been prepared to move the spring located at Sarkatli in Helambu and make it an intke.

It will take more than four years to make a new intake . According to Water Supply Secretary Suresh Acharya, about 65 billion has already been spent in the name of Melamchi project.

Water Minister, Chairman of the Federal Parliamentary Committee, MPs, experts, ministry officials, project technicians held a comprehensive discussion on the long-term management of Melamchi water supply held on Thursday at Singhdarbar, and a report has been released that there is no option to move the source . The program was organized with the purpose of providing information about the issues mentioned in the report, the long-term solution of the project and the current situation in Muhan.

After the estuary was damaged by the flood of 2078, Melamchi water is being distributed in the valley only for 6 to 7 months a year. If we continue to distribute water temporarily, water can be distributed only for 6-7 months in 12 months, informed Zakki Ahmad Ansari, the executive director of the project.

He asked for the participant's suggestion . A study report prepared by the professors of Pulchok Engineering College has been published saying that the threat of floods during the rainy season has not abated.

campus professor Dr. Announcing the summary of the study report, Bishnu Prasad Pandey said that the Melamchi estuary area is still vulnerable to landslides and said that there is less risk when a new intake is made in Sarktali. Based on the preliminary study, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee and the MPs participating in the discussion suggested to find a permanent solution after a deep study.

They suggested to make a plan with accountability while looking for a permanent solution instead of making a temporary structure . Although the MPs agreed to utilize the existing structure, they suggested that the cost and time period should not be more than specified.

Chairman of the Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives Hrishikesh Pokharel said that a permanent solution should be found so that time and cost do not increase. He said that if there is a delay in the construction of the Melamchi project and the cost increases, someone should be held accountable for it. During his studies, he held the opinion that the expertise should be based on the conditions of the country and not abroad.

Chairman of the State Order and Good Governance Committee Ramhari Khatiwada said that the issue of irregularities in Melamchi has always been raised. "What is the reason for inspecting the Melamchi project is the first job of every new water minister," he asked.

Chairman of Infrastructure Development Committee Deepak Bahadur Singh raised the issue of irregularities in the past saying that Melamchi Dharai politician won the election and also got a stain. He held the view that the amount of the structure should be fixed at the time of construction.

Why did Melamchi's geography cheat yesterday, what is the guarantee that there will be no flood tomorrow? MP Rajan KC asked. He said that the construction of the structure of the mouth of the project should be of a permanent nature. MP Uday Shamsher Rana suggested that MP Pradip Poudel should study and solve the issue of the main tunnel as it is like that of the existing structure.

He said that instead of looking for an alternative to such a big project, it should be utilized by spending as little money as possible. He asked to find an alternative source of water in the valley. He asked to consider the cost and construction period of the structure to be built now while thinking about the alternative of the spring. He said that the current structure should be utilized.

MP Sunil Prajapati demanded an investigation into Melamchi's past. He asked to pay attention to resource management around the valley and not only Melamchi. MP Shishir Khanal asked to study the project further and find a permanent solution. He also asked to arrange the management of Melamchi water distribution outside the Upatyoko ring road.

MP Toshima Karki said that other sources of water should be found as an alternative to Melamchi. Nimagyalzen Sherpa, chairman of Helambu Rural Municipality, where Melamchi estuary is located, complained that the government has neglected the construction of local structures damaged by floods. He also said that the circuit that is supposed to move the spring is not geographically appropriate.

Mayor of Bhaktapur Municipality Sunil Prajapati, Mayor of Budhanilkanth Municipality Mitharam Adhikarilagayat Water will be distributed from the Melamchi project and the representatives of the local level have expressed dissatisfaction with the implementation of the project . They also claimed that they would collect money from the public and do the work if the water is guaranteed to come regularly. Water is being temporarily brought from Melamchi through a 26 km tunnel and distributed in the valley.