problem in setting path variable in .js file

[SHHHH]

when i wrote this code in master page:

<script type ="text/javascript" >

function fnevar()
{
var npath="<%=SITEP ATH%>";
return(npath);
alert(npath);
}
</script>

here <%=SITEPATH%> should give a path i.e. c:\\inetpub\www root\Test but it gives c:inetpubwwwroo tTest