Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Rajnath Pandey has warned that water supply to Kathmandu could be halted if residents living around the Melamchi Drinking Water Project's source area are not provided with adequate drinking water.

Speaking at a meeting of the Infrastructure Development Committee on Wednesday, Pandey said residents of Sundarijal and Wards 1–9 of Gokarneshwor Municipality, where the Melamchi dam is located, continue to suffer from water shortages despite being at the project's source.

He argued that it is unacceptable for people living in the source area to remain deprived while water is supplied elsewhere. Pandey warned that if the issue is not addressed immediately, he would join local residents in blocking the dam and stopping water supply to Kathmandu.

The lawmaker also accused officials and technical staff of Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) of mismanaging the water distribution system, alleging that water is supplied selectively to some areas while others are neglected.

He further pointed to delays in the second-phase pipeline expansion after the contract for the 20-million-litre water tank project in Arubari was cancelled, saying the delay has worsened the situation for local residents.

Pandey urged the concerned authorities to conduct an immediate field inspection and resolve the issue, warning that continued neglect could force locals to take stronger protest measures, including blocking pipelines or disrupting water flow at the source.