SATV 6 May, Kathmandu: The Project Implementation Directorate (PID) of Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) is set to expand the Melamchi water distribution network beyond the Kathmandu Valley’s Ring Road as part of the second phase of the Kathmandu Valley Drinking Water Improvement Project. This phase of the project, funded by the Government of Nepal with support from the Asian Development Bank, aims to serve municipalities including Kathmandu, Budhanilkantha, Gokarneshwor, Kirtipur, Bhaktapur, Suryabinayak, and Madhyapur Thimi.

In this second phase, officials plan to construct a total of 875.4 kilometers of water distribution pipelines. The planned breakdown includes 151.3 kilometers in Bhaktapur and Suryabinayak, 75.98 kilometers in Kirtipur, Kathmandu, and Chandragiri, 308.15 kilometers in Madhyapur Thimi, 200.23 kilometers in Kapan and northern Jorpati, and 139.74 kilometers in southern Jorpati and the Pepsi-Cola area. The pipeline network will consist of 828.92 kilometers of polyethylene (PE) pipes and 46.48 kilometers of ductile iron (DI) pipes.

To expedite construction, PID has divided the project into five packages, each corresponding to different areas, and has already issued tenders for all five. Upon completion, the second phase is expected to benefit around 63,000 households. Contractors will also be responsible for operating and managing the system for one year after its completion.

In the first phase of the project, 1,010 kilometers of new pipelines were installed across 33 locations in the valley. This included 30 kilometers of primary pipelines and 980 kilometers of distribution lines. Additionally, 10 reservoirs were built at nine sites, and 77 kilometers of wholesale pipelines were laid to distribute water from the Sundarijal treatment plant.