Action Follows Agreement: Minister Ghising moves fast as tender opens for Melamchi access road upgrade

KATHMANDU: Just a day after a long-awaited consensus was reached to resolve disputes surrounding the Melamchi Water Supply Project, the government has swiftly moved into action. On Wednesday, the Charikot Road Division Office officially called for tenders to upgrade the 17-kilometer road leading to the Melamchi headworks (source area), marking a significant breakthrough in one of Nepal’s most crucial infrastructure projects.

The upgrade of the Melamchi–Ambathan–Melamchighyang section has been divided into three packages, with the tender process formally initiated. This move directly follows Tuesday’s high-level agreement between the Ministry of Water Supply, Melamchi Water Supply Project stakeholders, and local committees, signed in the presence of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Kulman Ghising, along with ministers from Physical Infrastructure and Transport and Urban Development.

The swift call for tenders demonstrates the government’s renewed determination to execute commitments made under the new Melamchi consensus, which was finalized after years of local discontent and repeated flood damages in the region.

Consensus Implemented Within 24 Hours

On Tuesday, the concerned ministries and local representatives had reached a comprehensive understanding, paving the way to resume smooth operation of the Melamchi project. Locals had agreed to allow the diversion of Melamchi River water to Kathmandu from November 5 (Kartik 20), following assurances that their long-standing grievances would be addressed through coordinated action.

As per the written agreement, all concerns raised by local governments, social upliftment committees, flood victims, vendors, and tenants will be resolved through a structured implementation process.

“Following the issuance of the Melamchi Water Development Committee Formation Order 2079, the disbursement of capital expenditure from the Ministry of Finance was stalled due to technical complications,” the agreement states. “To unblock this issue, a revised draft based on the local governments’ written consent and the committee’s board decision will be prepared and forwarded for amendment.”

The Sindhupalchok District Disaster Management Committee, led by the Chief District Officer (CDO), will collect factual reports to facilitate relief and compensation. The Ministry of Home Affairs will be requested to advance related processes immediately.

A joint working mechanism will include three representatives from both the Melamchi Water Development Committee and local stakeholders, tasked with completing the procedure within three months.

Compensation, Reconstruction, and Financial Releases

The agreement also covers assessment of losses from previous floods, including impacts on lives, property, local industries, agriculture, and livelihoods. Unpaid dues to local vendors will be settled within 15 days, as the Ministry of Finance has been urged to release withheld funds promptly.

Regarding water distribution management, a task force will coordinate with the National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission and the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs to finalize recommendations for the Council of Ministers within 45 days.

A budget of Rs 250 million (Rs 25 crore) has already been transferred to the Department of Roads, enabling the Charikot Division Office to proceed with the road upgrade. The project will be implemented as a multi-year contract, with a total funding commitment of Rs 1 billion.

Additionally, Rs 40 million has been allocated for local social upliftment programs, and an extra Rs 190 million has been requested from the Finance Ministry for further development initiatives.

New Integrated Development Corridor Planned

The government has also agreed to propose a new Melamchi–Helambu Integrated Development Corridor for the upcoming fiscal year, aiming to link infrastructure upgrades, tourism promotion, and sustainable livelihood programs in the project-affected regions.

This decisive step has temporarily resolved the deadlock that halted water diversion to Kathmandu for several weeks after locals shut down the headworks in protest on October 20 (Kartik 4). The closure followed unfulfilled commitments made earlier by former Water Supply Minister Pradeep Yadav, which had intensified public frustration in Sindhupalchok.

Tuesday’s fresh agreement — signed by Water Supply Secretary Pramila Devi Shakya Bajracharya, Physical Infrastructure Secretary Keshav Kumar Sharma, and representatives of local communities, along with Melamchi Water Development Committee Executive Director Jagarnath Das — has restored confidence that Melamchi water will soon resume its vital flow to Kathmandu Valley.