Electricity shortage disrupts services in remote Tamankhola Rural Municipality

KATHMANDU: In the remote Tamankhola Rural Municipality-6, Narjakhani, electricity supply has been disrupted, causing problems in service delivery.

The issue arose due to insufficient electricity production from the small hydropower project at Narjakhola, which serves the area.

The reduced water flow in the river during winter has hindered electricity generation, affecting the services provided by the ward office.

Ward Chair Chhitra Bahadur Chhantyal expressed concerns about the impact on the office’s operations. With no electricity, the office faces difficulties operating computers, printers, and other essential electronic equipment.

Despite efforts to digitalize operations, the absence of electricity forces the office to revert to handwritten work.

Chairman Chhantyal said, “Without electricity, all office work comes to a halt. The telecom tower in the village also shuts down, making phone calls impossible. When service seekers come, we cannot print certificates, register incidents, or provide timely services due to the lack of electricity.”

The ward consists of three settlements: Narjakhani, Bhitriban, and Patle. Each settlement has a small hydropower project, but due to the decreased water flow in winter, locals report that even a single light bulb is difficult to operate.

The hydropower projects include an 11-kilowatt Barahgoth Khola Small Hydropower Project in Narjakhani, a 3-kilowatt Khali Khola Small Hydropower Project in Patle, and a 6-kilowatt Barathankhola Small Hydropower Project in Bhitriban.

These projects have been managing electricity by storing water in tanks throughout the day and using it to power lights only in the mornings and evenings.

Tamankhola Rural Municipality Chairperson Joklal Budha Magar informed that the municipality is collaborating with the Electricity Authority to expand the central transmission line, and work on installing poles and lines has already begun.

With a population of 1,500 people in 250 households, the lack of consistent electricity supply is creating significant difficulties for the local community.