Dynamics of Financing, Governance and Socioeconomic Benefits of Melamchi Water Supply Project in Nepal: Lessons Learnt

Abstract

This study assesses the dynamics of multi-sectorial benefits of a top-flagship project which bears tangible benefits of the project and benefits earned by the beneficiaries through nonrelated water pricing mechanism. The paper is based on content analysis and consultation with the stakeholders concerned and beneficiaries. The result reveals huge tangible benefits from the project; however, poor project governance and institutional weakness in managing the project all contributed to delaying the project by nearly 15 years than its scheduled completion date. This has resulted loses of over tens of millions USD annually only due to missing opportunity to obtain water revenue of transferred water, leaving aside other indirect benefits of water scarce urban households of Kathmandu. The lessons learnt from this project provide valuable information and insight for addressing governances and institutional factors in infrastructural project development and project execution in Nepal and also in other developing countries in the region.

Identifying determinants of sustainable water management at the household level through rainwater harvesting systems in Nepal

“…These groups are facing acute problems with water in terms of quality and quantity (Acharya, 2010;Phuyal et al, 2019). As per Phuyal et al (2020), KV is one of the main cities in the country having the worst water supply system in Nepal. Seventy per cent of households are connected to the Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) system (Raina, 2017).…”

“…Seventy per cent of households are connected to the Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) system (Raina, 2017). The Melamchi Water Transfer Project which was supposed to supply about 170 million liters of water per day (MLD) in the urban areas of Kathmandu to provide relief from drinking water scarcity to residents of the capital city, is yet not completed and started distribution of water (Phuyal et al, 2020). Thus, the scarcity and irregularities in water supply urge alternative sources in the valley (Shrestha, 2017), which led private sectors to promote infrastructure including rooftop tanks, drinking water containers and dispensaries (Rest, 2018).…”

“…Unfortunately, even today, the water demand and supply are not adequate in KV. Hence, it is necessary to know the factors that are responsible to make sustainable and easy use of water via rainwater harvesting in KV (Phuyal et al, 2020). Rainwater harvesting is one of the alternatives.…”