March 08: Residents of Gelephu had to collect drinking water from the streams before because of water shortage. Some even traveled five kilometres to Lodrai to fetch water. But this problem has been solved with the construction of a new water treatment plant near the Mao River. It was constructed with funds from DANIDA.

The Works and Human Settlement Minister, Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba and the Head Counsellor of Liaison Office of Denmark Henrik A. Nielsen inaugurated the new water treatment plant on Sunday.

The new water treatment plant will solve the water shortage problem that Gelephu residents have been facing for a long time.

“The town will not have to face water shortage for 10 to 15 years,” said Lyonpo Zimba.

Henrik A. Nielsen said the new treatment plant is designed to cater to an ever increasing population.

The town representative of Gelephu, Sithar Dorji said since the completion of the new plant in January, they had continuous water supply throughout the day.

The construction of intake well and water treatment plant with flood protection facilities started last September.

The new water treatment tank can supply water to 22,000 people.