Mayor of Dharan Rai works with locals to solve drinking water crisis

By Nisha Rai Dharan, July 13: Dharan Sub-metropolitan City’s chronic drinking water problem may finally be solved, at least partially, after the people of the city, under the leadership of Mayor Harka Raj Rai, donated their labour to bring water from the Pakuwa River in Ward No. 20.

Dharan has always suffered a lack of drinking water.  Parties had, for years, been promising a solution to the crisis but had not been able to do anything. Rai had also won on a platform of bringing water from the Saptakoshi River to quench the thirst of the city. 

However, until that happens, he has formulated a plan to bring water from the streams surrounding the sub-metro for a short-term. 

The Pakuwa River project was also carried out as part of this plan.

Mayor Rai and the residents of the city worked voluntarily to bring water from the river. 

They worked hard for three weeks and only rested after the water successfully flowed. “Now, we aim to replicate this success in the other rivers around Dharan,” Rai excitedly said.

According to Rai, the entire project was built with investment and labour from the people and did not require the spending of the government’s budget. Rai worked with his denizens to build the tanks and install the pipes on his off days.

As per the mayor’s office, the Pakuwa River will supply around 500,000 litres of water to Dharan and will benefit two of the sub-metro’s 20 wards. 

Before assuming office, Rai used to be an activist working in the field of drinking water and other sectors of social welfare. 

He has been active in the protection of water sources and greenery.