Kathmandu, June 17: Installation of a large-diameter pipeline has begun in the Sundarijal area of Kathmandu district to expand and improve the distribution of water supplied through the Melamchi Drinking Water Project across the Kathmandu Valley. The Project Implementation Directorate (PID) said the 1,800mm-diameter pipeline is the largest ever used by the Directorate for drinking water distribution in Nepal.
According to PID Director and Engineer Ram Kumar Shrestha, work is progressing to expand drinking water distribution networks in Bhaktapur, Kirtipur, Madhyapur Thimi, Kapan, Jorpati and Pepsi Cola areas.
Shrestha said tenders have already been invited for the expansion of distribution networks in five areas, while procurement and construction procedures for the remaining locations will begin soon.
The Directorate is carrying out pipeline installation and other construction works in both day and night shifts to improve the delivery of Melamchi water throughout the Valley.
Reservoir tanks, pipeline extensions and other supporting infrastructure are currently under construction at multiple sites, according to the directorate.
Once testing of the newly installed pipelines is completed, the entire system will be handed over to Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL), the directorate said.
Shrestha said the handover of the system is expected to pave the way for the regular distribution of Melamchi water to households across the Kathmandu Valley.
The Melamchi Drinking Water Supply Project aims to provide around 170 million litres of water daily to the Kathmandu Valley by diverting water from the Melamchi River in Sindhupalchowk District.
