Though NEA had erected electric poles about a decade ago, the Chitwan National Park had refused to allow electric lines to be taken through the park saying it would have a negative impact on the park´s ecology. But with CNP allowing NEA to build an underground conduit, prospects for the village appears bright.[break]
According to Chief Conservation Officer of CNP Jhamak Bahadur Karki, the village electrification plan had been halted as NEA wanted electricity to be taken to the VDC through poles. “The NEA´s decision to build an underground conduit has assuaged our concerns,” said Karki.
After gaining approval from CNP, Bharatpur-Madi Rural Electrification Project of NEA is taking ahead construction work in full swing. As for the legal procedures, the project has received IEA registration from CNP. As of now, a 6km underground conduit has already been laid through the park.
According to Chief of the project Pramod Dhungana, they have almost completed the work of laying underground conduits. “We will complete laying another 1km of underground conduit within a month,” said Dhungana.
Once this project completes, Gardi VDC Ayodhyaya VDC, Kalyanpur VDC and Bagauda VDC in the Madi area will get electricity. The government has allocated Rs 10 million for the project but the project cost is likely to double with NEA having to lay underground conduits.
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