September 26, 2002
 Japan's Assistance for the Improvement of Kathmandu Water Supply Facilities
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On September 24, Ambassador Kaminaga and Dr. Keshar Jung Rayamajhi, Chairman of the Rajparisad Standing Committee jointly laid the foundation stone of the Project for the Improvement of Kathmandu Water Supply Facilities in a ceremony organized by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works.
The first phase of this project, signed between the two governments on December 27, 2001 is already being implemented under the grant assistance amounting to  1,040,000,000, or approximately NRs.611,520,000, extended by the Government of Japan. In addition to this, the Government of Japan has decided to extend a separate grant aid up to 927,000,000, equivalent to NRs.604,000,000, for the next phase of the project in the Japanese Fiscal Year 2002.
In implementing this project, water intake facilities, elevated water tanks, a water treatment plant, and other related facilities will be constructed and the necessary equipment will be purchased to improve the water supply services in the target areas of the Kathmandu Valley.
The areas that benefit directly from the project will be southeastern part of Kathmandu, Madhyapur, western part of Bhaktapur under the Manohara site, and Lalitpur under the Shaibhu site. The expected beneficiary population will be 267,000 and 160,000 respectively, totaling 427,000 estimated for the target year 2006. Further, after the completion of this project, it is expected that it will contribute in reducing the leakage, thus leading to the improvement of the water supply capacity not only in the target areas, but also in other areas of the Kathmandu Valley. Besides the above mentioned, it is also expected that the project will play a significant role in supplying safe and hygienic water.
On the occasion, Ambassador Kaminaga congratulated the people in the target areas of the project as they will acquire improved water supply facilities in the near future. He remarked that the continued support of the Government of Japan to the Government of Nepal in its development efforts would certainly help address the needs of the country, and further strengthen the cordial and cooperative relationship between Japan and Nepal.
On behalf of the Kingdom of Nepal, Mr. Rayamajhi thanked the Japanese Government for assisting in the improvement of Kathmandu water supply facilities and assured every effort to complete the project. He added, "Due to the high influx of the population in the Kathmandu Valley, people are in dire need of sufficient water supply. This project will certainly relieve people by supplying more clean water." |
