Energy Minister Basnet directs NEA to ensure uninterrupted power supply during festivals

Published On: October 18, 2023 06:30 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, Oct 18: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Shakti Bahadur Basnet has directed Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to ensure regular power supply during the upcoming festivals such as Dashain, Tihar, Nepal Sambat and Chhath.

Minister Basnet called NEA Managing Director Kulman Ghising, Deputy Managing Director Manoj Silwal and chief of the NEA's load-dispatch center Suresh Bahadur Bhattarai to his office in Singha Durbar, and directed them as well as the chiefs of the NEA's distribution centers within the Kathmandu Valley to make arrangements so that the citizens get smooth power supply, giving no room for any complaint from a single house.

"Become responsible and active for 24 hours so that there is no room for public complaint. A few minutes of disruption in power supply during the festivals spoil the good work you have been doing throughout the year," Minister Basnet said.

He directed the NEA to distribute maximum power to industries and enterprises during the festival time, and also suggested that the excess power is also not wasted.

The energy minister urged NEA to make its no-light centers more responsible, make arrangements for receiving the phone calls from customers promptly and manage a rapid team for reaching the consumer's house within minutes in case of any problem.

Minister Basnet is also the chairperson of the NEA Board of Directors.

On the occasion, the ministry’s Secretary Gopal Sigdel directed the NEA managing director and other officials to provide services keeping the consumers at the center.

Managing Director Ghising said that human resources have been managed and will be mobilized in the Valley and urban areas round-the-clock. He said that he would be out regularly monitoring and inspecting the distribution centers during the festival time, so that there will be no complaints from the consumers.

"We have made efforts as far as possible to prevent wastage of power. Preparations have also been made to supply the excess power to the Indian market, but the final consent has not been received yet (from the Indian side)," he said.