Anamnagar and Minbhawan residents in Kathmandu rejoiced as the taps started gushing with Melamchi water after a seven-month hiatus. The national pride project, severely hit by monsoon floods in June 2023, resumed partial operations, offering hope for easing the chronic water woes of the Valley.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal inaugurated the restart by symbolically opening a traditional crocodile spout at Singha Durbar. Although initial supply stands at 50 million litres per day, expected to reach 150 million within a week, concerns linger about round-the-clock availability.
Monsoon remains the Achilles’ heel, forcing temporary shutdowns to protect the crucial 27-km tunnel. While the Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) currently distributes 100 million litres daily through other sources, demand hovers around 4-4.3 million litres.
However, a permanent solution remains elusive. The 2021 floods wreaked havoc on the headworks, prompting relocation discussions. Experts suggest building new headworks 500-600 meters higher at a cost of Rs4 billion, but a final decision awaits expert consensus and fresh tenders.
Adding to the complexity, the second phase of the project, encompassing water diversion from Yangri and Larke rivers, awaits an action plan and further construction of treatment and distribution systems.
In conclusion, while the return of Melamchi water brings relief, Kathmandu’s journey towards water security is far from over. Balancing monsoon protection with long-term needs and navigating complexities of headworks relocation and phase-two expansion remain crucial challenges to securing a permanent end to the city’s water woes.
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