Drinking water problem of Shankarpokari solved after long wait

By Ganesh Poudel, Parbat, Jan.30: The water problem of the residents of Shankarpokari, Phalewas Municipality-3, Parbat, who have been suffering for generations, has been finally solved.    

As there is no other source of water in the village, water problem of the village is being solved by taking water from Lamaye stream, which is below the village, through lift process. 

Kamal Bhushal, Secretary of the project said that water is taken to Limikot by lifting water to 17 meters height from Lamaye stream. The fetched water will be distributed to 13,041 household wards 3 and 4 of the Phalewas Municipality. 

Secretary Bhushal said that the project has been completed under the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Drinking Water, Gandaki Province, Pokhara.  Construction of tank, connecting electrity and connecting main pipeline have been completed, water will be distributed to the village after connecting it to the distribution pipeline. 

According to the water consumer group, water will be distributed from the old pipeline as the testing of the project went successful. 

Bhushal said that even though the main work of the project has been completed, extending pipeline in households, connecting meter and water taps will take some time. 

Shiv Kumar Shah, Chief Engineer of the Area Office under Drinking water and Sanitation Division Office said that the cost of the project, which was started in the fiscal year 2075/76, is projected to be around Rs 188, 885,000. 5,072 consumers will benefit from the project. Even though the development of the physical infrastructure is going good, but the financial progress stands at 21.34 per cent because of lack of budget from the ministry. 

Santosh Kaini, Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Drinking Water, Gandaki Province, said that the government has kept this project in priority and there is a commitment to provide financial budget at earliest, because of which, the budget will be allocated finishing the project timely.