Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) said that work is underway to strengthen the electricity distribution system in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Chitwan, and Kaski districts.
NEA spokesperson Rajan Dhakal said that the process of placing electricity distribution lines underground is being carried out in coordination with local governments and the Department of Roads.
“Demand for electricity is increasing. Once the electricity lines are placed underground, it will improve the reliability of electricity supply to consumers,” he said.
Dhakal added that the NEA is moving ahead with underground cabling in coordination with the Department of Roads and local governments.
According to him, more than 90% of the work on projects in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur districts within the Kathmandu Valley has been completed.
94% Completion in Maharajgunj
According to the NEA, the Kathmandu Valley Central and Northern Distribution System Strengthening Project has achieved 94% physical progress.
Work is underway at the Narayangopal Road crossing and Dhobikhola Road crossing under the Maharajgunj Distribution Center in Kathmandu.
So far, 246 kilometers of high-tension (HT) cables and 360 kilometers of low-tension (LT) cables have been laid in the area. The NEA stated that some charging and commissioning work remains to be completed.
The underground cabling work began after the Department of Roads granted permission for the relevant areas.
Engineer Shubharaj Neupane, deputy director general and spokesperson for the Department of Roads, said, “The Department of Roads granted permission at the NEA’s request. After the NEA completes excavation of the roads, it is the NEA’s responsibility to restore them to their original condition.”
97% Completion in Ratnapark–Baneshwar
He also informed that the Kathmandu Valley Eastern and Southern Distribution System Strengthening Project has achieved 97% physical progress.
So far, 288 kilometers of HT cables and 367 kilometers of LT cables have been laid under the Ratnapark and Baneshwar Distribution Centers.
Installation work has been completed, while 30% of the charging and commissioning work remains, according to the report.
95% Completion in Western Kathmandu Valley
The Kathmandu Valley Western Distribution System Strengthening Project has achieved 95% physical progress.
In areas covered by the Baneshwar, Balaju, Kuleshwar, Kirtipur, and Jorpati Distribution Centers, 296 kilometers of HT cables and 252 kilometers of LT cables have been laid.
The NEA stated that 25% of the service cable installation work remains, while 33% of the charging and commissioning work has been completed.
NEA spokesperson Dhakal said that underground cabling has faced some difficulties in certain locations because roads are narrow and telephone, drinking water, and internet cables and pipes occupy the same underground spaces.
“In some narrow streets, drinking water pipes are already laid there. Telephone and internet cables are also in the same place. As a result, while carrying out one utility’s work, another utility’s pipe can get cut,” he said.
He added that such problems are particularly common in older urban areas.
61% Completion in Lalitpur–Bhaktapur
The Lalitpur–Bhaktapur Distribution System Strengthening Project has achieved 61% physical progress.
So far, 182 kilometers of HT cables and 110 kilometers of LT cables have been laid in areas covered by the Bhaktapur, Pulchowk, Lagankhel, and Thimi Distribution Centers, among others.
Work along major roads in Bhaktapur and in Lalitpur—from Satdobato to Lagankhel, the Chakupat area, and the stretch from UN Park to Balkhu Bridge along the Bagmati Corridor—has reached its final stage.
However, work remains in Bhaktapur’s old market area and along the Ekantakuna–Jawalakhel–Pulchowk–Kupandole and Jawalakhel–Kumaripati–Lagankhel sections.
83% Completion in Pokhara–Bharatpur
According to the NEA, the Pokhara–Bharatpur Distribution System Strengthening Project has achieved 83% physical progress.
Under the Bharatpur Distribution Center, 132 kilometers of HT cables and 26 kilometers of LT cables have been laid so far. Work to energize the lines is underway.
In Pokhara, 106 kilometers of HT cables and 57 kilometers of LT cables have been laid.
However, the installation of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes, cable pulling, and service cable installation remain unfinished at some locations.
HDPE pipe installation is currently underway from Sabhagriha Chowk to Chipledhunga and from Srijana Chowk to Rashtra Bank Chowk.
Cable laying remains to be completed along the Sahid Chowk–Barahi Chowk–Hallan Chowk section, from Sahid Chowk to Malpot Chowk, and from Pokhara Engineering College to Lagrand College.
The NEA stated that cables will be laid in areas where HDPE pipes are currently being installed once the pipe installation is completed.
Service cable installation also remains unfinished in the Lakeside area, along the Prithvi Chowk–Hallan Chowk section, and on several inner roads.
According to spokesperson Dhakal, the total cost of the underground electricity cabling project, being implemented with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is estimated at between Rs. 25 billion and Rs. 30 billion.
The project began in the Kathmandu Valley nearly six years ago. Dhakal said that various factors, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, have contributed to delays in completing the project.
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