Minister Yadav announces feasibility study for large-scale water reservoir projects

KATHMANDU: Minister of Water Supply, Pradeep Yadav, has announced that a feasibility study is underway for large-scale water reservoir projects to address the long-term water supply issues in Nepal.

During today’s session of the National Assembly, Minister Yadav responded to a verbal question raised by Member of Parliament Bhuwan Bahadur Sunar, stating that the Ministry is exploring the potential of managing water supply through major projects, including diversions of the Sun Koshi and Rapti rivers, as well as large reservoir-based water distribution systems.

The Minister also highlighted concerns over the ongoing water scarcity in the Terai-Madhesh region, particularly during dry seasons when wells and rivers run dry.

He informed that the Ministry plans to increase water supply by operating deep tube wells and other initiatives to combat this issue.

In response to the decreasing groundwater levels in Terai districts, the Ministry has already started deep borehole projects in the region, with an emphasis on finding immediate solutions to the water crisis.

Minister Yadav further revealed that 280 water supply projects in the Terai-Madhes region, including overhead tanks, which have been stalled for a long time, will be completed in coordination with provincial and local authorities.

The budget for these projects is being prepared for the upcoming fiscal year.

For the current fiscal year, the Ministry has also initiated the construction of 38 water supply projects in the Terai-Madhesh region through public tenders, following multi-year resource agreements with the Ministry of Finance.

Additionally, Minister Yadav shared that in collaboration with the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), research and studies on revitalizing mountain and hill water sources will begin, along with efforts for source protection.

To ensure safe drinking water, the Ministry is also implementing chlorination units in each water supply system, as part of efforts to guarantee water safety across the nation.