“This powerhouse can not reduce the load-shedding across the country but it had been providing huge relief to the people in Baglung,” says Bikash Poudel, program officer with Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). “It is a shame that NEA´s lack of concern has forced Baglung denizens to live in darkness.” [break]
The Kathekhola power house went out of operation after a pipe instrumental in generating electricity broke down five years ago. Later, the canal built to channel the water for electricity generation collapsed. The power house has remained out of operation since then.
With the powerhouse remaining non-operational for years, several equipments have started to gather rust. “The more we delay the repair works, the more costly it is going to get,” said Bishnu Prasad Yadav, chief of the NEA, Baglung. The estimated cost of repairing the powerhouse at present is Rs 2.5 million.
Yadav said the NEA had once allocated budget to repair the powerhouse. However, when a tender notice was published, no company submitted proposals, apparently, because of the low budget allocated by the NEA. “Now, we are discussing whether to announce another tender or repair the powerhouse on our own,” said Yadav.
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