One-Year Achievements of the Ministry of Water Supply under Minister Pradeep Yadav Published

Kathmandu,July 16: Today, the works and achievements in the water supply sector during one year under the leadership of Minister Pradeep Yadav have been made public.

Minister Yadav, who took charge of the ministry on Ashar 31 last year, has reportedly successfully completed the water diversion work from the Riberma River under the Melamchi Project, leading to year-round water supply in the Kathmandu Valley.

One-Year Achievements of the Ministry under Honorable Minister Pradeep Yadav (From 2081 Ashar 31 to 2082 Ashar 31)

(a) Progress in Physical Infrastructure:

Major Project Completions:
– Successfully completed the water diversion work from the Riberma River under the Melamchi Project, ensuring year-round water supply in Kathmandu Valley.
– Approximately 12 billion Nepali rupees resource consent was obtained in Fiscal Year 2081/82, and capital expenditure of projects under the Department of Water Supply and Sewerage Management reached 86% by the end of the fiscal year.
– Completion and operation of a total of 86 water supply projects, including Urlabari Large Co-Investment Project (Morang), Beldangi Water Supply Project (Jhapa), Dabar and Nainpur Tole Water Supply Projects (Siraha), Besishahar Co-Investment Water Supply Project (Lamjung), Chautara Water Quality Project (Sindhupalchok), Chitwan Bhandara Second Water Supply Project (Chitwan), Nangedanda Large Pumping Water Supply Project (Sindhuli), Salkot Large Water Supply Project (Surkhet), Shri Antu Samalbung Water Supply Project (Ilam), and Large Power Water Supply Project (Hetauda).
– Public procurement process initiated for five packages to extend Melamchi water supply outside the Ring Road in Kathmandu Valley.
– Structural expansion started under the Integrated Water Supply and Sewerage Management Project in cities such as Jhapa, Birgunj, Pokhara, Bharatpur, Hetauda, Dharan, Butwal, Imadol, and Lamkichuha.
– Procurement process underway for construction of a modern water treatment plant with a capacity of 25.5 crore liters in Sundarijal.
– Construction of water tanks with capacities of 6 million liters and 8 million liters completed in Kirtipur and Mahankalchaur respectively.
– Construction works of sewage treatment plants in Sallaghari, Kodku, and Dhobighat restarted.

New Initiatives and Use of Technology:
– Mandatory operation of chlorination units for water purification through new projects and water user organizations nationwide.
– Detailed study of Sisneri Water Supply Project completed; consultant selection in final stage.
– Construction of Bheri Pumping Project in Karnali Province started (after contract agreement, forest land approval, and tree cutting permission).

Climate Change and Natural Disaster Management:
– More than 250 deep boring sites have been completed so far to immediately solve water supply problems caused by climate change in districts such as Bara and Parsa; further deep boring work ongoing.
– A large water supply project worth NPR 450 crore is being implemented with loan support from ADB to solve the long-term water supply problem in Birgunj Metropolitan City.
– Feasibility study of Rapti River water diversion project advanced to manage increasing water scarcity and drought in Terai-Madhesh region in the long term.
– Long-term infrastructure development for supplying water to six Terai districts – Sarlahi, Rautahat, Mahottari, Dhanusha, Bara, and Parsa – is being advanced through the Sun Koshi-Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project in partnership with the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation to ensure sustainable and reliable water supply in Madhesh Province.

(b) Policy Reforms:

Institutional Restructuring:
– Fifteen permanent offices were established by giving permanence to projects temporarily operated under the Department of Water Supply and Sewerage Management.

Legal Amendments and Implementation:
– Water Supply and Sanitation Regulations, 2081 implemented.
– Updated the Co-investment Water Supply and Sanitation Project Implementation Directive, 2081, reducing the public participation fee from 30% to 15%.
– Issued the Nepal Water Supply Institute Employee Service, Terms and Benefits Regulations, 2081, restarting the halted staff recruitment process since 2074.

Approval of New Procedures:
– The procedure for formulation of water supply, sanitation, and hygiene plans based on spatial information systems, 2081 was approved and implemented.

(c) Diplomatic Achievements:

Expansion of International Partnerships:
– Bilateral agreement signed with the Government of India on water supply and sanitation cooperation.
– Memorandum of Understanding signed with ISIMOD on master management, technology transfer, research, and data exchange.
– Participated in the “Global Water Collaboration Conference on Climate Change and Water Security” held in Seviya, Spain, organized by the United Nations, presenting Nepal’s long-term financial commitment.

Inter-Ministerial and Inter-Government Coordination:
– Agreement on multipurpose water use with the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation.
– Cost-sharing-based agreement signed between Government of Nepal, Ministry of Water Supply, and provincial governments under the “Water Sector Good Governance and Infrastructure Support Project.”

Under the leadership of Honorable Minister, the Ministry of Water Supply has made significant leaps in policy, diplomacy, and physical infrastructure. Along with strengthening service delivery, this period has set the direction for long-term and sustainable systems, marking the beginning of a transformative era in Nepal’s water supply and sanitation sector.