Pokhara: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Pampha Bhusal has said the government was committed to ensuring power supply to the tourism sector which she said is a key basis for the nation's prosperity.

During a meeting with tourism entrepreneurs from the Mardi trekking route on Monday evening in Pokhara, Minister Bhusal pledged electrification to the Mardi trekking route, adding that it was in the government's priority list.

She also said the government was making plans for power consumption within the country. "Our first priority is increasing power consumption within the country instead of power export. For this, the government is planning to ensure power of the national grid system," according to Minister Bhusal.

Sharing the electrification plan of the government across the country in the coming two years, Bhusal said the government is ready to provide sufficient power to the tourism sector.

On the occasion, the tourism entrepreneurs from Mardi trekking routes shared their concerns with Minister Bhusal regarding power deficit despite a number of hotels being established there with the increase in tourist arrivals. Around 55 hotels are in operation along the route in Dudkharka, Forest Camp, Low Camp, Badaldanda and High Camp regions.