Melamchi water will arrive in Kathmandu in less than a year: PM Oli

KATHMANDU, Sept 30: As the government handed the remaining construction works of the delayed Melamchi Drinking Water Project to Chinese contractor Sinohydro Corporation Limited on Sunday, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli is hopeful the project will be completed “in less than a year”.

Almost 95 percent of the works of the drinking water project has already been completed. But the progress of the much-awaited national pride project, which started three decades ago, was halted after the Italian contractor Cooperativa Muratori e Cementisti left the project in December last year.

Sinohydro, the fourth contractor to get the project, has pledged to complete the tunnel works within a year. The remaining works of the project are expected to resume from October 13.

“The government is taking one step ahead a day in the development sector. The Melamchi water will arrive in Kathmandu in less than a year,” said Prime Minister Oli after laying the foundation stone of the ministerial residence in Bhaisapati on Monday.

The prime minister also expressed disapproval toward the opponents of the government saying they are spreading despair to the people exaggerating the non-issues.

“It remains a trend to stage protest and demonstrations over trifle matters,” he said.

“But the government is not slowing down. We are continuing on our mission”.