Electricity supply begins in Pokhara through underground system

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Feb. 3: Nepal Electricity Authority has started supplying electricity through underground power distribution system in the tourist city of Pokhara.

Under the Pokhara-Bharatpur Distribution System Strengthening Project, electricity supply to customers has started in the area where the work of undergrounding, strengthening and automating the electricity distribution system has been completed, according to a press statement of NEA.

In the first phase, the distribution line from Kundahar 132/11 kV substation in Pokhara to the west via Amarsingh Chowk, Buddha Chowk and Seti River Bridge section has been laid underground and electricity has been supplied to about 300 customers in the area.

In coordination with the Mungling-Pokhara Road Expansion Project, the transmission and distribution system has been laid underground and the overhead lines and poles have been removed. 

Initially, only the distribution system up to Kundahar substation was underground, but later it was extended to the main entrance of the airport so that passengers would not see the city made ugly by scrambled wires, read the press statement.

Managing Director of NEA Kul Man Ghising inspected the work of making the distribution system underground and directed to gradually provide electricity supply to the completed areas and remove overhead structures.

He directed the Chief of Gandaki Provincial Office, NEA to immediately complete the remaining work of Lakeside in coordination with the Metropolitan City, Road Office and other bodies and provide electricity supply through the underground distribution system.

According to NEA, the work is underway to underground the 11 kV and 400-volt lines in the main cities and roads of Pokhara under the Pokhara Distribution Centre and to lay optical fiber in these areas. 

So far, the overall construction progress of the Pokhara area is 54 per cent, said Project Chief Ananda Subedi. 

As the work in the street area in Lakeside has been completed, electricity will soon be supplied through the underground system, he said.

As optical fiber will be laid along with the electrical wires, internet, telecommunication, and cable television service providers will be able to provide services using the optical fiber. 

The underground system will be safer than the current overhead distribution system and will help maintain the beauty of the city by removing the wires that are making it ugly.

As there will be no disruption in the electricity system due to wind, rain, lightning, the electricity provided through the underground distribution system will be reliable, qualitative and safe.

The loss of life and property due to electrical accidents will be minimal, it said.

The Pokhara-Bharatpur Distribution System Strengthening Project has been started with the investment of the NEA and a concessional loan from the Asian Development Bank. 

A contract agreement was signed with Tata Project Ltd., India, in October 2021 for the construction of the project.

The work in the Pokhara area is targeted to be completed by upcoming mid-August 2025.