By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Feb. 5: The Kathmandu Valley Drinking Water Management Board has pushed ahead the process of authorising Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) for the operation of drinking water and sanitation services for 30 years in the Kathmandu valley, starting from February 13.

As per an accord signed on Sunday, all the property as well as the liability of Nepal Drinking Water Supply Corporation in the Kathmandu valley will be transferred to the Board on February 13. When the Melamchi Drinking Water Project is completed, it will also come under the Board.

According to a statement of the Board on Tuesday, with the permission KUKL will be responsible for daily water supply, repair and protection, installation of new water taps and expansion of pipelines.

KUKL will be independent to run its service system and it will operate its services from the head and branch offices of the Corporation in the valley and it will collect water tariff from the same places but with its own name until alternative arrangements are made," the statement read.

In line with an agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to introduce a mechanism to improve drinking water supply system in the Kathmandu valley for releasing subsequent loan installments to the Melamchi Drinking Water Project, the government formed three wings related with drinking water management. They include the Board, KUKL and Tariff Adjustment Commission.

A delegation of the Bank visiting the country recently had expressed commitment to provide the loan and expand the duration for the project. ADB is a major donor on Melamchi project. Source: The Rising Nepal, 6 February 2008

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