Kathmandu: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has pledged the federal government’s support and facilitation to help Gandaki Province achieve full electrification.
During a meeting with Gandaki Province Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Drinking Water Phanindra Devkota at Singha Durbar on Tuesday, Minister Shrestha said effective coordination among the federal, provincial and local governments is essential for the success of the “Gandaki Ujyalo” program, which aims to provide electricity access to every household in the province.
Informing that electricity service has yet to reach 1,717 households in Gandaki Province, Shrestha said the federal government would provide the necessary assistance to ensure electricity access is expanded to those households as soon as possible.
He expressed satisfaction that Gandaki Province has prioritized initiatives such as the Electricity Development Bill and the “Gandaki Ujyalo” program.
“Our vision of equitable development can be realized through a strong, well-planned and coordinated provincial government that ensures development opportunities reach all regions and communities equally,” Shrestha said.
Highlighting energy security as a priority, he said preparations are underway to develop some local governments into “energy self-reliant municipalities.” He stressed that renewable energy sources, including solar power, should be prioritized in difficult and remote areas where expanding the national transmission system is challenging. According to him, cooperation among federal, provincial and local governments is essential to achieve this goal.
Shrestha also emphasized the need to focus not only on expanding electricity access but also on developing the infrastructure and technical capacity required to increase electricity consumption. He noted that the federal and provincial governments could jointly move forward with plans after assessing the technical requirements, infrastructure needs and costs associated with expanding electricity use.
He further informed that sufficient budget has been allocated by the federal government in the current fiscal year for electricity expansion in the province, along with the delegation of necessary authority.
The minister also said that reconstruction of the flood-damaged micro-hydropower plant at Chungdumri in Gorkha could be advanced through the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre.
During the meeting, Minister Devkota said the provincial government is preparing to introduce an Electricity Development Bill and stressed the need for support and coordination from the federal government.
He said preparations are underway to declare Gandaki Province a fully electrified province and requested federal assistance to secure funding for electrification in Nisi of Baglung district and to extend electricity services up to the Korala border point with China.
The meeting also discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between the federal and provincial governments in areas such as electricity expansion, increasing electricity consumption, irrigation, and energy infrastructure development in Gandaki Province. Secretaries, joint secretaries and other senior officials from both ministries also participated in the discussions.
Jalasarokar