New Road now looks cleaner than before. After the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) began supplying electricity through an underground distribution system, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City has started removing unnecessary poles and wires.

According to NEA spokesperson Chandan Ghosh, the underground electricity distribution system has already been implemented in various areas of the Kathmandu Valley. In areas where this system is operational, unnecessary poles, transformers, and other wires are being removed.

According to the Authority, the construction of the underground electricity distribution system has been completed in various parts of the valley. The underground distribution system has already started in areas such as Pepsi-Cola–Jadibuti, Lainchaur–Narayangopal Chowk, Chuchepati–Chabahil–Mitra Park, Kalanki–Tripureshwor, Kalimati–Balkhu, Kirtipur–Ring Road, and Samakhusi Town Planning.

On May 16, 2024, the Authority issued a notice stating that overhead distribution lines and electricity poles would be removed. It mandated the removal of structures and equipment such as internet cables, optical fibers, CCTV cameras, and streetlights within six months.

The Authority had stated that if internet cables, optical fibers, CCTV cameras, and streetlights installed on its poles were not removed within the specified period, it would not be responsible for any damage caused during the removal of poles and other overhead structures.

“We had issued a notice giving a six-month deadline. Among them, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City has actively started removing poles without electricity systems and the structures on them. If other local governments also become proactive, similar work could be accomplished as in New Road,” says Ghosh. “Although it is our responsibility, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City has extended its support.”

The Metropolitan City has stated that it has removed unnecessary structures in accordance with the notice issued by the Electricity Authority.

“We have started removing unnecessary overhead structures of the Authority. The work is being carried out in coordination. Removing unused poles and transformers has also cleared the wires attached to them, making the city look more beautiful,” said Metropolitan Police Chief Rajunath Pandey. “So far, we have removed over 40 poles and more than 10 transformers.”

Source: Online Khabar