KATHMANDU, Dec 19: Officials of Melamchi Water Supply Project and the Ministry of Water Supply and Sanitation remained busy whole day on Tuesday, making an assessment of the project works in the field. They also discussed options to complete the dream project as soon as possible. 

The officials also briefed Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli on the project’s status, on the second day after the staff of the Italian contractor for civil works Cooperativa Muratori & Cementisti (CMC) di Ravenna tried to flee the country. 

Consultant for the project, EPTISA, is also preparing report on the project’s current status, which it is planning to submit on Wednesday. Oli is likely to lead a meeting on Wednesday to decide further action on the long-delayed project that is to quench the thirst of people in the Kathmandu Valley.

Chandra Bahadur Thapa, board member of the project, said the board was weighing the options for completing the project within the stipulated time if the Italian contractor did not complete the works. “It may take only two months for completing the works of supplying water through a temporary arrangement or coffer dam at the intake site,” added Thapa.

Work such as concrete lining in the remaining stretch of about a kilometer, fixing gates at the tunnel gates, and laying pipelines remain. 

However, according to officials who have direct knowledge on the matter, it may be difficult to begin supplying water within just two months. “We have a few options, like asking the contractor to appoint a subcontractor for the project or terminate the contract with the Italian contractor and get the remaining works done through fast-track procurement,” said Thapa. Project’s deputy director Ram Prasad Kharel informed that they were still busy in assessment of the project status.

 
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