Water scarcity problems continue in Gorkha despite construction of Rs 440 million Daraundi water project

Published On: June 4, 2022 02:55 PM NPT By: Narhari Sapkota

GORKHA, June 4: Despite the construction of the Daraundi Lifting Drinking Water Project at the cost of Rs 440 million, the problem of drinking water in Gorkha has not been solved.

There were claims that there would be no water shortage in Gorkha after the construction of this project, which was completed three months ago. According to Engineer Tikaram Chalise, the Daraundi Lifting Project was completed in March, 2021. The project is currently running for 8 to 12 hours daily.

"We have not been able to run water at full capacity due to low demand," said Engineer Chalise. "We have distributed up to over 900,000 liters of water daily." However, the obstruction in water supply from the project for over a week has created panic in Gorkha due to lack of water. The Prithvi Narayan Sana Sahari Drinking Water Project has stated that it has not been able to distribute water due to irregular power supply and motor problems.

There is no water in Daraundi Lifting for a week now. Engineer Chalise said that the power poles and wires taken to the Daraundi Lifting Drinking Water Project were damaged due to strong winds. "We are carrying out repair works. Water distribution will start in a few days," he said.

"We have been providing water where there is demand for it," said Engineer Chalise. "Meters have been installed in front of the tanks of every consumer organization." The project has stated that there is no means to collect water in the tank as the power supply is not regular.

Daraundi has a stock of water in its tank that can last for only about one or another day. If the power is cut off regularly, it will be difficult for the Daraundi Lifting Irrigation Project to meet its water demand in Gorkha Bazaar. The small town has been consuming 200,000 to 400,000 liters of water daily with the help of Daraundi lifting as per the requirement.

Daraundi had started distributing paid water by connecting meters to the consumers from April 14. Due to high demand for water in the market area, small towns have been consuming a lot of water from Daraundi Lifting. Institutions distributing water in rural areas including Nareshwar, Ghalang, Dumsuri, Tallo Ahale and Kumalgaon have not used Daraundi lifting water.