Kathmandu, September 30
Electricity supply will be disrupted in several parts of Kathmandu Valley between October 1 and 12 as the Nepal Electricity Authority carries out technical work to operate the underground electricity distribution system and prepare for winter power demand.
According to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), areas under the Kuleshwor, Baneshwor, Jorpati and Kirtipur distribution centres will experience scheduled power cuts during the period.
Electricity supply will generally be cut from 10 am to 3 pm in the affected areas. The NEA said scheduled outages may be cancelled if weather conditions are unfavourable.
According to the authority, electricity will be cut in Satungal-Bauthali on October 1, Machhegaun-Dobhan Chowk and Khusi Chowk on October 2, Mulpani on October 3, Gurjudhara on October 4 and Mulpani again on October 6.
Similarly, power supply will be disrupted in Balambu on October 7, Koteshwor-Balkumari on October 8, Siphal on October 10, Satungal-Dhaulagiri residential area on October 11 and Dhobikhola on October 12.
The NEA is carrying out the work as part of its plan to make Kathmandu Valley’s electricity distribution system underground, strengthened and automated.
The first phase of the project began in areas under the Ratnapark and Maharajgunj distribution centres in Kathmandu. The second phase covers other urban areas of Kathmandu, while the third phase will cover urban areas of Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. The fourth phase is planned for Pokhara and Bharatpur metropolitan cities.
Under the project, 33 kV, 11 kV and 400-volt electricity lines will be placed underground, along with optical fibre cables.
The NEA expects the underground system to improve the reliability and safety of electricity supply and gradually help automate the distribution network.
The system is also expected to reduce problems caused by the haphazardly placed electricity, telephone and internet cables in urban areas, while improving the visual appearance of Kathmandu Valley and supporting a more modern and organised electricity distribution system.
