Biratnagar: Locals of Rangeli are compelled to drink arsenic contaminated water as the filter plant constructed to purify water is not in operation. The plant could not be operated due to disputes among the Drinking Water, Sanitation and Consumers Committee, Drinking Water Office Morang and Plant Construction Company.

The dispute arose after the Construction Company did not provide the plant completion letter demanded by the Consumers Committee. The consumers committee has stated that it will not operate the plant until it receives the official letter.
Megh Engineering Private Limited Bhaktapur had constructed water filter plant at an investment of Rs. 4 million with support from Asian Development Bank. The Construction Company and Drinking Water Office Morang had informed the Consumers Committee in words two months ago to operate the filter plant. Demanding for written information, the Committee has been taking stance not to operate the plant. The Committee has denied operating the plant without testing the quality of water. Chairman of the Consumers Committee Bijay Sharma told that the committee will operate the plant after 72 hours of its first operation by the contractor.

Source: Naya Patrika, August 11, 2008