Electricity reaches remote area for the first time

By Anil Parajuli

Hetauda, Jan 30: Electricity has reached Deujar and Gadhansir, located south of Bagmati Rural Municipality-3 in eastern Makawanpur, for the first time.

Sakesh Ghalan, Chairman of Bagmati Rural Municipality, inaugurated the programme by lighting a lamp on Tuesday.

The line has been extended to 62 households in Deujar and 17 households in Gadhansir. The Nepal Electricity Authority provided poles, wires, and transformers, while the rural municipality arranged the necessary infrastructure for the three-phase line.

"Our wish is that the lights lit today will brighten the future of the children here," said Ghalan.

This settlement, primarily inhabited by the Tamang community, left the plains around 1941 (1998 BS) due to fear of malaria and settled in the mountains.

For eight decades, residents had to struggle for basic services. Roads were opened only a few years ago, but transportation in the area is still disrupted during the rainy season.

The goal to provide electricity to this area, about 17 km south of the rural municipality office at Jhurjhure and connected to Chandranigahapur in Rautahat, was set last year.

However, the plan was delayed due to creeks, cliffs, and difficult terrain. This year, the dream was realized with the help of local labour, municipal investment, and the cooperation of the Nepal Electricity Authority.

Local resident Dil Bahadur Pakhrin said villagers contributed their labour and helped bring the electricity poles to the settlement. He added that with electricity and roads now in place, there is renewed hope in the village.

Residents complain that previous representatives did not prioritize this area due to its small population and challenging geography. Many young people have left the village in search of employment.

Speaking at the inauguration, Ward No. 3 Chairman Kaman Singh Pakhrin and Chief Administrative Officer Om Bahadur Darji expressed their belief that the expansion of electricity will bring positive changes in education, health, and the local economy.