December 1: Minister for Water Supply Umakanta Chaudhary has assured that water supply from the Melamchi Water Supply Project will resume in the Kathmandu Valley by December 13 this year.    
Minister Chaudhary made this statement while taking stock of the progress of the project headworks at Ambathan on Wednesday.    
An action-plan has been prepared for the diversion of the water for the long-run, he informed.    
On the occasion, he inspected the gate number 1 of the tunnel, which was partially damaged due to the flooding during last monsoon.    
“The gate was saved from a heavily damage, thanks to a timely precaution. As a result, the water could be pumped into the tunnel early,” he said.    
Project site divisional engineer Padam Bahadur Kunwar shared that the project water would reach Kathmandu 10 to 12 days after being released into the tunnel.    
Secretary at the Ministry Maniram Gelal said preparations are being with a target to resume the water supply to the Kathmandu Valley by December 13.

So far, over Rs 34 billion has been spent for the construction of the tunnel and other structures under this project, he informed, adding that it requires additional Rs 310 million to prepare structures so as to ensure water supply during all seasons. -- RSS