Kathmandu: The first phase of underground laying of electricity wires, which was targeted to be completed in two and a half years in Kathmandu, has witnessed a progress of only 40 percent in 20 months.

Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) through the inception of the underground electricity distribution system, its enhancement and automation project in February 2020, announced to complete the work by August 2022. However, the slow work has led to the worse situation of roads in many locations in the Capital, creating inconvenience for the commuters.

Surendra Bahadur Bhattarai, spokesperson for the NEA, said the work has been delayed due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and heavy rainfall. “In a new timeframe, we have targeted to complete the work by December 2022,” he said.

According to NEA, most of the underground laying work has been done in the stretch of Lazimpat, Maharajgunj, Lainchaur and Bansbari-Budhanilkantha areas. However, the work in around 1.5 km stretch along Maharajgunj-Bansbari area is yet to be completed.

In the first phase, the government has planned to lay 250-km 11,000 voltage underground line and 400-km 400 voltage underground line in Baluwatar, Panipokhari, Budhanilkantha, Tokha, Gongabu, Samakhusi, Maharajgunj, Dhapasi, Basundhara, Shivapuri, Chunikhel, Sukedhara, Dharmasthali and Teaching Hospital that fall under the Maharjgunj distribution center.

Similarly, the authority has taken forward the construction of 200-km 11,000 voltage underground lines and about 400-km 400 voltage underground lines in places including Ratnapark, Bagbazar, Putalisadak, New Road, Anamnagar, Jamal, Lainchaur, Thamel, Sorhakhutte, Naya Bazar, Khusibu, Tripureshwor, Teku, Thapathali, Maitighar, Singhadurbar, Naxal, Lazimpat, Airport, Chabahil, Bauddha, Jorpati under the Ratnapark distribution center.