Kathmandu, March 8 : The water drawn from the Melamchi river in Sindhupalchok district has been discharged into the Bagmati river so as to increase the water level in the holy river in view of the upcoming Shivaratri festival.    

The water diverted from Melamchi through 26.5 kilometers tunnel to Sundarijal water processing center has been discharged into the Bagmati river. The water flow into the river is 260 liters per second, said the Melamchi Drinking Water Development Board.    

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on March 6 inaugurated the diversion of the water into the Sundarijal water processing plant. Ahead of Maha Shivaratri, a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honour of god Shiva, scheduled for March 11 this year, the river on brink of which Pashupatinath Temple is seated which draw a large number of devotees for the celebration, has been tidied up after the water washed away sludge and other waste in it.   

 
PM Oli on an occasion had recently announced a plan to clean the river by letting the water from the project into it.

The river has been filled with water during monsoon. However during dry season, the water level decreased. The distribution of drinking water from Sundarijal to the Valley residents has caused low flow of the water into the river.

Efforts to increase the water level in the river by constructing dam at Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park has yet to be materialised as the project is yet to be completed.