Kavre, March 22 - Discussion on the issue of equitable distribution and opportunity of water was challenging at a time when water scarcity hit the country hard, water experts said.

They shed light on the importance of experience sharing to solve the problems and advance the development programmes.

They Sunday expressed the view while speaking at a programme organised to mark the ‘World Water Day’ by Society of Public Health Engineers (SOPHEN), Drinking Water Distribution and Sanitation Department of the Government of Nepal, World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF.

Dinesh Chandra Devkota, member of the National Planning Commission (NPC), said that though the discussion on the matter was challenging, it was necessary for the country to accelerate the development programmes by solving the issues and problems emerged in that sector.

Devkota highlighted lack of coordination and understanding between the Federation of Drinking Water Consumer Forum and Drinking Water Department on the issue related to direct public concerns.

He said that as the physical development has vital role in brining about economic, social transformation and agenda of development and peace, it would be impossible to address the global challenges if the stakeholders did not enhance their learning.

Similarly, Dr. Jagadish Chandra Pokharel, former Vice-Chairman of the NPC, called the policy-makers, technicians and consumers to keep the growing scarcity of water in view.

He said that it was natural to rise controversies while distributing resources as it was related to direct public concern.

Hari Ram Koirala, secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office, Uma Kanta Jha, Secretary at the Minister for Physical Planning and Works and Gajendra Thakur, Executive Director Of Melamchi Drinking Water Project, had expressed their views.

Speaking from the chair, Suman Sharma, chairman of the SOPHEN, made extensive deliberations on the Melamchi Drinking Water Project.