Govt, local stakeholders reach agreement to resolve Melamchi project dispute

KATHMANDU: The long-standing dispute surrounding the Melamchi Water Supply Project has been resolved, at least temporarily, following a late-night agreement reached on Tuesday at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation.

According to the agreement, issues related to water diversion and local grievances have been settled through consensus among government representatives, affected local bodies, and various stakeholders, including flood victims’ committees and vendors.

As per the understanding, the government will address concerns raised by local governments, the Social Upliftment Program Committees, flood victims’ associations, and local entrepreneurs connected to the project area.

The agreement also stipulates that a report on water supply replenishment, prepared by earlier committees, will be reviewed in coordination with the National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission and the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs. The final proposal will be submitted to the Cabinet within 45 days.

Key points of the agreement include:

1. Blacktopping the Melamchi–Ambathan–Melamchighyang road section with an immediate tender worth Rs 250 million and a budget assurance of Rs 1 billion.
2. Resolving the long-pending levy issue (related to water replenishment) within 45 days by submitting it to the Cabinet.
3. Forming a technical team under the Chief District Officer (CDO) to assess flood damages to houses, land, schools, canals, and bridges, and to complete the compensation and relief process within three months.
4. Advancing the construction of roads in Golphubhanjyang–Chitre–Gyalthum Audit–Chanoute and Ratopul–Palchok Devithan–Banskharka–Yangri sections.
5. Giving priority employment to affected families and relatives of the deceased in the KU-KEL and Melamchi Development Committees.
6. Advancing the Melamchi–Helambu Integrated Development Corridor Program.
7. Awarding a multi-year contract for Melamchi–Thangpaldhap–Kot–Bhotang–Yangri and Fatte Keurani–Banskharka–Yangri road construction.
8. Directing a new consultant to conduct the EIA scoping for Melamchi–Yangri–Larke.
9. Allocating a budget for blacktopping in all seven wards of Helambu next year.
10. Constructing the Aama–Yangri staircase.

A high-level monitoring and coordination committee will also be formed under the secretary overseeing infrastructure at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, with joint secretaries from related ministries and three representatives from the flood victims’ side as mandatory members.