Japan provides Rs. 2.7 billion grant for drinking water

The Government of Japan has announced a grant assistance of Rs 2.7 billion (22.5 million US dollar) to the Government of Nepal for the implementation of the project for the Improvement of Water Supply in Biratnagar. 

Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, KIKUTA Yutaka, and Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, Madhu Kumar Marasini, inked notes to this effect at the Ministry of Finance on Thursday. The grant agreement for implementing the project was signed between JICA representative Okubo Akimitsu and Joint Secretary Ministry of Finance, Ishwori Aryal, according to a press release issued by the ministry.

The project aims to enhance the living standard of the people of Biratnagar Metropolis by renovating and expanding the water supply facilities, thereby broadening the water supply area in Biratnagar in Eastern Nepal. At present, people in Biratnagar have to depend on shallow wells to get water for daily household use and have been affected by shortage of safe drinking water.

This project will help to improve “access to a stable supply of water” for about 100,000 people by constructing new deep wells and water purification facilities. Furthermore, some of the existing facilities will also be renovated under the project. “The Government of Japan has been providing multifaceted assistance for the betterment of the living standard of Nepali citizens,” remarked Ambassador Kikuta.