BIRGUNJ, June 11: The import of transformers in the country has drastically increased in this fiscal year in comparison to the last fiscal year. The import of transformers via Birgunj border in the first ten months of the current fiscal year has increased by 82 percent in comparison to the same period of the last fiscal year.
A total of 7,054 transformers have been imported to Nepal in this period. The number is 12 times more in comparison to the first 10 months of Fiscal Year 2015/2016. A total of 3,892 transformers were imported in the Fiscal Year 2015/2016 while only 567 transformers were imported to Nepal in the Fiscal Year 2014/2015.
“The main importer of transformers is Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). Apart from the NEA, different hydroelectricity projects also import transformer in huge number. The import of transformers has increased by a huge number,” said Sebantak Pokhrel, chief customs officer of Birgunj Customs Office.
According to Sunil Dhungel, deputy director at the distribution and customer service department of NEA, the import of transformers has surged with the increase in the construction of new hydroelectricity projects. “NEA has been importing transformers for different purposes. The requirement of transformers for NEA has increased due to the projects to expand the distribution of electricity,” he said, adding that the import has also increased due to the massive involvement of private sector in construction of hydroelectricity projects.
Dhungel further added that the NEA imports more number of transformers in comparison to the private sector. “The increase in the import of these items is a positive thing,” he added.
The NEA claims that the citizens have been able to get rid of load-shedding due to increase in the distribution of electricity.
Not only transformers, the import of equipment used in hydroelectricity projects have also surged in the current fiscal year. The data of Birgunj Customs Office show that the import of hydroelectricity equipment and machineries has increased by almost 80 percent. The items which are mainly imported are hydraulic turbine, generator parts, electric motor generator, wire, panel board, circuit board, pipe, among others.
“People should understand that the money being spent on the import of these items will turn out to be very fruitful in the near future. The money is being spent is for the development of the country,” said Om Prakash Sharma, president of Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Sharma further added that the import of these items is very positive for the development of the country. If the money is utilized properly, then the production of the country will surely increase, he added.
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