Note/Material

Drinking-Water: Nepal is very rich in water resources. Our major sources of water are rivers and lakes. Unfortunately, Nepal lacks enough pure drinking water. According to recent data, about 53% of the total population of Nepal gets pure drinking water i.e., piped water. Water in the river is not safe to drink. If we drink dirty water, we will suffer from water-borne diseases. Our government spends a large amount of money building hospitals and other medical services to the people. But prior to that, the government should provide clean drinking water to the people which prevent people from getting sick. It was the period of Bir Shumsher when the provision of distribution of drinking water began in Nepal. He made public water taps in different parts of Kathmandu by bringing water from Shivapuri hill to Maharajgunj. Later, Sundarijal Drinking Water Project was established in the year 2022 B.S. to provide much water to Kathmandu valley. However, it was only since the first five years plan that the water supply has been more systematic. In spite of the government’s effort, there is a shortage of clean drinking water in many cities of Nepal, particularly in Kathmandu. Our government with the help of some NGOs and INGOs has been working out plans and projects to provide safe drinking water to the people like Melamchi Drinking Water Project which will complete soon and provide much needed water to Kathmandu dwellers. Electricity: Electricity was first generated in the year 1965 B.S. in Nepal by Chandra Shumsher at Pharping. Later, Sundarijal power station was established in 1991 B.S. Nepal has the potential to produce about 83000 MW electricity but at present hardly 1000 MW has been produced. However, the government is effortful and political parties are committed to establish many hydro-electricity projects around the country. Some of the major hydro-electricity projects and their production capacity is given below:
Hydro-electricity Projects Production Capacity
Kaligandaki A 144 MW
Marsyangdi 69 MW
Kulekhani I 60 MW
Kulekhani II 32 MW
Khimtikhola 60 MW
Bhotekoshi 36 MW
Trishuli 21 MW
Chilime 20 MW
Modikhola 14 MW
Gandaki 15 MW
Devighat 14 MW
Sunkoshi 10 MW
Jhimruk 12 MW
  In spite of this electricity generation, we are not able to meet the demands of electricity in our country. The government has aim to fulfil the increasing demand of electricity by encouraging small private company along with its big projects planned all over Nepal. At present, Nepal has been facing long hours of load-shedding problem. Sometimes, it reaches to 16 hours a day. In order to reduce load-shedding problem from Nepal and provide electricity to all people, we should do the following:
  1. Allocate more budget for electricity generation in annual and five years plan.
  2. Complete all under-construction projects irrespective of which party government started the project.
  3. Establish other hydro-electricity project in fast flowing rivers with the capacity of 1000 MW.
  4. There should be time to time visit and investigation to the areas of electricity supply.
  5. Launch awareness generating programme.
  6. Control electricity leakage.
  7. Focus on small electricity projects which cost less amount of money.
  8. Also reduce the electricity charge so that people can afford it.