Drinking Water Minister Yadav holds meeting with Indian expert team

Kathmandu, Aug 15: Drinking Water Minister Pradip Yadav and an Indian delegation visiting Nepal held a meeting at the Ministry of Drinking Water on Friday regarding the measures to explore a sustainable solution to the drinking water crisis in Tarai.

The Indian expert team returned to Kathmandu after an on-site monitoring and inspection visit to the Madhes Province to evaluate the water crisis issue. Ministry Spokesperson Mina Shrestha shared that the Indian expert team familiarised Minister Yadav with the current status and existing challenges, as well as the efforts being taken for both immediate and long-term solutions to the drinking water shortage in the Tarai-Madhes area.

She said the team arrived in Kathmandu after visiting the drought-hit districts of Tarai-Madhes from August 12. A plan of action will be prepared for solutions to the drinking water shortage after the report is prepared, Shrestha added. Minister Yadav stated that intensive discussions were held with the expert team, adding that the government will proceed based on the conclusions and recommendations of the consultations.

Minister Yadav also recalled the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India’s Ministry of Jal Shakti some months ago and expressed the confidence that this cooperation will further strengthen Nepal-India relations. Minister Yadav thanked the Indian government for extending support to resolve the drinking water crisis and said that there are expectations for a concrete agreement between the two countries on the long-term solution to the drinking water shortage during Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s upcoming India visit.

Secretary at the Ministry of Drinking Water, Engineer Pramila Devi Shakya Bajracharya, the Ministry’s Joint Secretary Engineer Shrestha, Engineer Kamal Raj Shrestha, Deputy Director General of the Department of Drinking Water Narayan Prasad Acharya and other officials were present from the Nepali side. Likewise, Regional Director of Dehradun Prashant Rai, Jagadamda Prasad of the Department of Lucknow Drinking Water and Sanitation Advisor Ashish Pande and others were present from the Indian expert team.