KATHMANDU: A major wastewater treatment facility capable of processing 15 million liters of water per day is under construction along the Tukucha stream, which flows through central Kathmandu, before it drains into the Bagmati River.
The treatment center is being built on 2.53 hectares at the confluence of Tripureshwar in Kathmandu and Kupondole in Lalitpur. The project, funded through a concessional loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under the Bagmati River Basin Improvement Project, has an estimated cost of Rs 3.18 billion.
According to project officials, the target is to complete construction by December 2026. Once operational, the system will divert the flow of the Tukucha stream into the treatment facility, process the wastewater, and release clean water into the Bagmati.
The center is also set to generate 800 kilowatts of electricity as a byproduct, according to the private secretariat of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Kulman Ghising, who also oversees Physical Infrastructure, Transport, and Urban Development portfolios.
At present, physical structures of the plant are being built on the Tripureshwar side, while work in Lalitpur has stalled due to local obstructions. Only the electricity-generating structures will be located in Lalitpur, while the main treatment units are under construction in Tripureshwar.
Minister Ghising on Thursday inspected the construction site to assess progress. During the visit, he held discussions with project managers, consultants, and contractors regarding timelines, challenges, and policy-level actions required for timely completion.
He said the government has placed high priority on cleaning the Bagmati River and managing its tributaries and riverbanks. Contractors have assured the minister that the Tripureshwar structures will be completed within the scheduled timeframe.
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