The drinking water project in Bishrampur, Mithila Municipality-5, Dhanusha, which began 10 years ago, still remains incomplete. The Drinking Water and Sanitation Division Office, Dhanusha, started working on the project in 2015, aiming to provide clean drinking water to residents within five years.

Locals reported that work on the drinking water project to supply clean water to 618 households in Bishrampur has been halted. The project included the construction of overhead tanks, electricity connections, staff buildings, and fencing of the office premises. However, the deep boring and pipeline expansion work still remains unfinished.

Following the water crisis in the village, the Drinking Water and Sanitation Division Office, Jaleshwor, had begun preparations to operate the drinking water project through an alternative method. Similarly, the project that started 12 years ago in Kemalipur, Mithila Municipality, also remains incomplete.

These are not the only drinking water projects facing delays. The Sabaila Drinking Water Project in Dhanusha, initiated in fiscal year 2015/16; the Pashupatinagar Drinking Water Project in Mahottari, started in fiscal year 2014/15; the Dhangadha Drinking Water Project in Basbariya Rural Municipality, Sarlahi, launched in fiscal year 2016/17; and the Bateshwor Drinking Water Project in Dhanusha are all currently stalled.

In recent years, groundwater levels have fallen, leading to a water shortage in Madhes Province. As wells and taps dried up, water is now being distributed in some areas by tankers. However, the incomplete and neglected water projects that could easily supply water are still not operational.

According to the Drinking Water and Sanitation Division under the Ministry of Energy, Irrigation, and Drinking Water of Madhes, there are currently 371 incomplete drinking water projects across eight districts. These projects began from fiscal year 1999/2000 to 2017/18. After the provincial government was established, the federal government transferred these projects to Madhes in 2018.

Laxmi Pantha, an engineer at the Drinking Water and Sanitation Division, stated that only 94 of these 371 projects are currently supplying water.The provincial government is building 88 new drinking water projects, with nine already providing water, he added. He explained, “The completion of the drinking water projects transferred by the federal government has been delayed due to a lack of funds. Since they are conditional grant schemes, the provincial government is not permitted to invest in them.”

For this fiscal year 2025/26, the federal government has allocated Rs. 160 million in conditional grants. It requires Rs. 8 billion to complete the remaining 371 projects.

Pantha noted that, owing to limited budgets and annual conditional grants, completing these projects will take more time. If all projects are finished on schedule, approximately 1.6 million residents of Madhes Province will have access to clean drinking water.

By Vijay Kumar Sah