The entrance to Pokhara, Nepal’s tourist hub, now offers a refreshing scene, with unobstructed views of the majestic mountains to the north. Much of the city’s tangled overhead wires and dilapidated electricity poles have been removed, with electrical lines now routed underground, creating a more open and organized urban environment.
Under the Nepal Electricity Authority’s (NEA) Pokhara-Bharatpur Distribution System Strengthening Project, underground cabling work is in full swing in the city’s main urban areas. According to Chief Engineer Anand Subedi, cables have been laid from Kundahar (Pokhara Metropolitan City-10) to key locations such as Amarsingh Chowk, Buddha Chowk, and Prithvi Chowk.
“Currently, we’re connecting electricity from the underground main line to customers’ homes,” said Subedi. “The work at Pokhara International Airport and Lakeside areas is complete, and we are now removing old poles and wires. About 55% of the project’s physical work has been completed.”
The ongoing project also includes laying optical fiber cables for telephone, internet, and cable television services alongside the power lines. Subedi emphasized that all overhead cables in the city’s urban and tourist areas will be removed to enhance safety and aesthetics.
The project, launched in 2021, involves a total investment of Rs 1.3 billion and employs advanced "horizontal directional drilling" technology to minimize road damage during cable installation. Indian company Tata Projects is leading the construction effort. Although delays in engineering design and equipment procurement initially stalled the project, progress has picked up recently. Subedi noted that contract extensions were required to address these delays.
The NEA’s Pokhara Distribution Center is also working with the Prithvi Highway expansion project to remove disorganized poles and wires, further contributing to the city’s beautification. “Removing tangled poles and wires not only reduces electrical accidents but also enhances the city's visual appeal,” said Pradeep Bhuwaji, chief of administration at the NEA's Pokhara Distribution Center.
Replacing the forty-year-old power lines in the Pokhara city requires significant investment, with an estimated budget exceeding Rs 5 billion. “Although expensive, underground wiring is necessary to meet increasing electricity demand and ensure reliability,” Subedi explained. Plans are in place to expand this initiative to other parts of Pokhara after assessing its impact and utility.
The NEA is undertaking similar underground cabling projects in Kathmandu, Bharatpur, and other major cities to modernize Nepal’s power distribution system, prioritizing efficiency and safety. Pokhara’s transformation is a testament to the potential of these initiatives to redefine urban landscapes. -- RSS
