Kathmandu does not command the laidback medieval aura that it once possessed. It is qualitatively getting worse by the day under the pressure of a rapidly expanding population as in most third world cities. Being self-sufficient, in fulfilling the simplest of wants, it was once a peaceful and beautiful place—until the beginning of the nineteenth century. However, though ill equipped from the infrastructural point of view, Kathmandu kept growing since it was still a better place than other towns.
The Pharping hydro venture that generated a ‘colossal’ 500Kw then (1911) now seems more like a historical aberration. While other countries have relentlessly moved forward, we seem content with our past laurels. Those in the driving seat are more concerned about holding on to the seat than worrying about tapping rivers and putting them to good use.
With minimum summer load-shedding hours having abruptly ended, we are back to a period of longer hours of darkness. This summer, we had more power-cuts than the previous year. And as the demand increases in coming days when electricity reaches more people, with the supply remaining stagnant, summers in future will be even worse.
Currently, housewives have more reason to worry as now there will be more such times when we will have no electricity when the water tap begins to trickle and vice versa. I presume there is no need to explain why the synchronisation is so vital. Much like in good old Kathmandu, we are rediscovering the advantages of the few remaining dhunge dharas and community wells. Those with limited water needs are slightly better off as they, out of compulsion, have stuck to small hand operated pumps connected to the supply pipe. People with greater needs have the option of buying water tankers, often from dubious sources.
Supplying water in tankers is a big business that is being carried out unmonitored. In most cases, water is extracted from dhunge dharas, springs and less polluted reaches of river and streams where possible. But it was indeed unbelievable to see such a tanker, not discharging water to a house, but instead getting itself filled! This happened in a quiet residential area in ward number two of Lalitpur. With neither a deep bore well, nor other water sources nearby, it is indeed unbelievable that the site has been commercially supplying huge amounts of water every day. A common type of residential well of say, 25/30 ft. depth supplying 6,000 to 8,000 litres at a time is beyond comprehension. It is indeed proving difficult to pin the mystery source while the tanker business seems to be running quietly. Neighbours swear that it is just a well. If so, must be a miracle well. Hopefully some investigative journalist, looking for a new story, will unravel the suspense.
Both politics and bureaucracy are primarily driven by the sole objective of making money, from all fronts, and in the shortest possible time.
Mysteries in Kathmandu, however, are not limited to such examples. There are innumerable instances of people earning a less than modest living, becoming rich overnight. It is generally true of politicians of all colours, of course, barring a few selfless ones. If and when politicians make occasional ‘gains’, it remains beyond the reach and knowledge of most. But, on the other hand, the malady has pervaded every level of our bureaucracy. The general public cannot expect anything to be done, however basic and routine, without greasing the palms of the service provider. People are coerced to make illegal payments even while paying taxes! Businesses are the most coveted targets. A bureaucrat has neither time nor patience to wait until the business does well, and he/she has to extract whatever gains right at the beginning. Who knows, he may be shunted out tomorrow and someone else may have his turn in this game of musical chairs.
Both politics and bureaucracy here are primarily driven by the sole objective of making money, from all fronts, and in the shortest possible time. This is why even the most unexpected people seem to have bagged lucrative hydropower licenses. They have no interest in taking up the infrastructure construction hassle, nor are they bothered by the increasing hours of load shedding. They are looking for an opportunity to make personal gains by selling the licence at a huge premium. Unfortunately, no developer would risk his neck by investing here under the unstable and uncertain environment, and paying an escalated price even for something as small as a permit. A true investor would be looking for long term benefits, not just short term gains. Further, small time investors feel so harassed by the bureaucracy and the anachronistic rules that it discourages investment of all sorts.
We, in Nepal, have a mammoth task ahead of cleaning up the whole system with urgency before we can even think of inviting big investors or of improving our lives in any way. Who, after all, would want to put in their money or effort in an uncertain and unmonitored environment, lacking any legitimate order? Till then, all needs of the common man will remain unmet and all desires unfulfilled.
harjyal@yahoo.com
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