KATHMANDU: The German government has committed 100,000 Euros (approximately Rs 14.2 million) to support the reconstruction of the drinking water project in Dhulikhel Municipality, Kavrepalanchowk, which was severely damaged by floods and landslides in the last week of September.
In mid-October, the Municipality formally requested assistance from the German Ambassador to Nepal, Dr Thomas Prinz, for the repair and reconstruction of the affected infrastructure.
Following this, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Dhulikhel Municipality, represented by Mayor Ashok Byanju, and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), represented by Tirtha Sinha.
As per the agreement, the financial assistance will be directed to the Dhulikhel Drinking Water and Sanitation Consumers’ Committee to support the ongoing restoration efforts.
The Municipality expects the funds to be received in the coming days, facilitating the much-needed repairs to the water supply system.
Despite partial restoration work, residents of wards 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8, as well as government offices in the district headquarters, continue to face significant water shortages.
The partial reconstruction has allowed for some water distribution, but full restoration remains a priority.
Krishna Bhusan Shrestha, Chairperson of the Consumers’ Committee, confirmed that Rs 1.97 million has already been spent on repairs and maintenance of the project. However, the total estimated cost for the complete reconstruction of the three-decade-old drinking water system is around Rs 35 million.
The German government’s timely support is expected to significantly improve water access for thousands of locals, helping to address the ongoing crisis and ensure a reliable supply of clean drinking water in the municipality.
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