KATHMANDU: The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), already facing public criticism for recurring power outages resembling load-shedding, is now under fire for another issue: abandoning dug-up roads across the Kathmandu Valley.
As part of a project launched in 2076 with a $150 million loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), NEA began laying underground power lines to enhance the Valley’s urban aesthetics and improve safety.
However, several areas—particularly between New Baneshwor and Shantinagar—remain in disrepair, with open trenches and scattered materials posing daily challenges to pedestrians and commuters.
Originally slated for completion three years ago, the underground cabling project aimed to replace overhead wires with a smart grid system across Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur. It also included multi-utility ducts to accommodate internet lines, CCTV, and traffic lights.
While some areas have seen progress, the project in many zones has either stalled or been abandoned altogether. Locals complain of blocked sidewalks and unsafe walkways, raising concerns about public safety and government accountability.
Reports suggest that NEA’s Managing Director Hitendra Dev Shakya attempted to halt the project altogether. Employees allege that Shakya prevented underground cables from being charged, citing ongoing power supply problems.
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