The 33/11 kV substation of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) set up in Lakuri area in Rolpa district has been fully charged.

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Barshaman Pun on Monday inaugurated the newly constructed substation that is under the full ownership of NEA in Rolpa Municipality-3 Lankuri. With this, consumers in most areas of Rolpa will get uninterrupted electricity supply. The district used to face frequent disruptions in power supply due to lack of substation.

The 33 kV distribution system in Rolpa has been replaced with the new substation. After the operation of the substation, the problem of technical leakage is expected to reduce and regular electricity supply will be available for the operation of industries in the area. The substation, constructed by A2Z Infra Engineering of India and Tripureshwor-Jay Durge JV of Nepal, has been completed with an assistance of Rs 100 million from the Asian Development Bank.

People from Sunil Smriti Rural Municipality, Lungra Rural Municipality, Sunchhahari Rural Municipality, Runtigadhi Rural Municipality and Rolpa Municipality will get power supply from the substation. Prior to this, electricity in Rolpa district used to be supplied from Jhimuk Substation at Pyuthan.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Minister Pun said that most parts of the country would be electrified within the next two years. He said that the government has given priority to ensure supply of electricity in all parts of the country as it is a symbol of prosperity and development. “Light is a symbol of prosperity. It is a door to prosperity,” he said. “The government is working to bring electricity to every Nepali household within two years."

Minister Pun informed that the detailed project study of the 156 MW Madi Reservoir Project in Rolpa is nearing completion and the construction process will start soon. He said work is underway to electrify every village in Rolpa within two years. Stating that there were 8,500 electricity consumers in the district before he handled the ministry, he said the number has reached 23,000 now. The consumer base is expected to reach 30,000 this year.

Similarly, speaking on the occasion, Acting Managing Director of NEA Hitendra Dev Shakya said the organization was active not only in supplying electricity to the people's household but also in making the electricity service more qualitative and reliable. He said that NEA is working on a special plan for the expansion and strengthening of power generation as well as distribution system. “Electricity is the engine of the economy so economic activities in the district will increase with the operation of domestic and large scale industries as soon as the substation is charged.”