Melamchi project tunnel works halted

HELAMBU, July 30:

Construction works of the tunnel of the Melamchi Drinking Water Project in the in-take area remain stalled since five months due to the dispute between the Langtang National Park and the project contractor.

The works were stalled after the contractor, in course of constructing the diversion of the stream, cut down trees at Rirba area which lies in the park without permission. Rirba area is near Ambathan, the source of the Melamchi stream.

CMC Italy, the construction company responsible for constructing the project tunnel, is learnt to have subcontracted the job to the United Builders for carrying out works on construction of the tunnel and stream diversion.

The Langtang National Park halted the project construction works after the United Builders chopped trees without taking permission from the park office. It has been five months since the construction works were halted but the works have not resumed yet.

However, Purnaman Hirachan, an official with the United Builders, said it has been five months since the project has sought permission from the park for clearing the trees and bushes around the construction site and the Department of National Parks has not given the permission for that.


The works are halted due to this reason, he added. He said only a few trees and bushes were cut down near the stream for diversion and complained that the park was stalling the construction works.

The construction works of a project of national importance have been stalled as the Melamchi Water Supply Project Development Committee and the Ministry of Urban Development have failed to resolve the five-month-old problem in coordination with the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation.

Source: Republica