Talks resumed on Monday between the Ministry of Water Supply and the Melamchi Water and Flood Victims Struggle Committee after Sunday’s meeting on reopening the Melamchi water source ended without agreement.

According to committee representative Raj Kumar Bhandari, discussions began at 11am on implementing past agreements related to reopening the main tunnel. “The ministry meeting had agreed to hold decisive talks on Monday, and we are firm on our demands,” Bhandari said.

Helambu resident Bishnu Khadka said their main concern remains the implementation of earlier agreements. Sunday’s talks, chaired by ministry secretary Pramila Devi Bajracharya, were attended by Melamchi Water Supply Project Executive Director Jagannath Das, officials from Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited, concerned stakeholders, political representatives, and Gen Z representatives.

The committee has been demanding the enforcement of an agreement under which 25 percent of the profits from Melamchi water consumed in Kathmandu would go to Helambu Rural Municipality. Then Water Supply Minister Pradeep Yadav had signed a 10-point agreement with the committee on October 7, 2024.

Earlier, locals had diverted the Melamchi River back to its natural course using excavators at the Ambathan tunnel site, halting the daily supply of 170 million litres of water to Kathmandu Valley.