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Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has called for special attention to increasing electricity consumption by making the power supply system in Koshi Province more systematic, reliable and effective.

During a visit to Koshi Province on Saturday, Shrestha held discussions with Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) officials, employees, public representatives and representatives of concerned bodies. He directed them to identify and immediately resolve problems in power supply and address public grievances and employees’ concerns, according to his secretariat.

During an interaction on the current status, achievements and future plans of the province’s power distribution system, Shrestha urged the development of a mechanism to resolve electricity supply problems as soon as they are identified and address complaints without delay. He said timely information flow and effective complaint management would help increase public trust.

Shrestha also emphasized that creative plans and proposals put forward by distribution centers based on local needs and problems should be effectively implemented through the provincial office.

Noting that the government has allocated sufficient funds to improve the transmission and distribution systems in the current fiscal year, Shrestha directed NEA officials to prepare an implementation plan and begin work from the start of the new fiscal year.

During the discussion, Energy Secretary Sarita Dawadi said targeted improvements in the distribution system could significantly improve the delivery of sustainable and quality electricity services.

Acting NEA Executive Director Dirghayu Kumar Shrestha said the authority needed to further improve its performance as public expectations were high.

NEA Deputy Executive Director and Chief of the Distribution and Customer Service Directorate Rajan Dhakal said that although electricity consumption in Koshi is already high in the industrial and domestic sectors, there is further potential to increase consumption.

During the discussion, lawmakers representing Morang and Sunsari, including Deepak Sah, Sirjana Shrestha and Rubina Acharya, called for improvements in electricity services in line with public expectations. They emphasized the need to immediately address local-level problems related to power supply and infrastructure and ensure easy, accessible, regular and reliable electricity services.