Chitwan: The underground electrification project underway in the urban areas of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Chitwan, has achieved 95 percent completion. So far, 460 customers have received electricity service through the underground distribution system.
According to Anand Subedi, chief engineer of the Nepal Electricity Authority’s (NEA) Pokhara–Bharatpur Distribution System Strengthening Project, underground electricity distribution has been implemented along Bharatpur’s Bypass Road, from Shahid Chowk to Pulchowk, and in areas in front of Chitwan Medical College. He said work is underway to connect the remaining customers’ homes to the underground network.
According to Subedi, underground electricity connections are currently being installed at an average of 13 meters per day. Of the 18 feeders covered by the underground electrification project, connections remain to be installed on three feeders, while work on the other feeders has been completed.
Under the project, underground lines must be installed at the homes of 1,240 customers in Bharatpur Metropolitan City. Based on the progress so far, approximately 95 percent of the project has been completed. Preparations are underway to finish the remaining work and extend electricity services through the underground system to more customers.
Project Cost Estimated at Rs 1.4 Billion
The estimated cost of burying electricity wires in the urban areas of Bharatpur Metropolitan City is Rs 1.4 billion. Initially, Rs 1.3 billion was allocated for the project. An additional Rs 100 million was provided after the scope of work was expanded.
The Nepal Electricity Authority is implementing the project with support from the Asian Development Bank. India’s Tata Projects Limited was awarded the construction contract. The construction work began following the signing of a contract with the company in October 2021.
Under the agreement, the first phase of the project was scheduled for completion by January 20, 2024. As the work could not be completed within the stipulated deadline, the project’s deadline was extended several times to continue construction.
The underground electrification project is expected to help manage electricity poles and exposed wires along urban roads. The expansion of the underground system also aims to improve the organization of urban electricity distribution and enhance the visual appearance of the city’s streets.
Nepalpurbadhar
