n It is ridiculous to proclaim that Nepal is the world’s second richest country with respect to water resources considering the bill we have been paying for enjoying electricity. Most probably, the cost we are paying is the uppermost in the world. The nightmare of loadshedding is yet more shocking than the electric shock when summer commences. The immense affluence of our hydropower holds capacity of illuminating every nook and corner of our country, but our luck is crying out for want of advanced techniques and technicians. In the context of being powerless to meet our own demand of power contentedly, it is our moral duty to save power so that we do not have to face loadshedding in the summer time. Optimistically, Kali Gandaki A has brought a glimmer of hope for our rainy days. However, both the suppliers and the consumers have to be honest for their part, otherwise the fiasco of this power plant will give a serious blow on the face of its investors and that will result to a pitch-dark fate of ours.

Nabin Rijal, Siphal, Kathmandu

n Let all electricity users of this nation, hardly 15 per cent of the total population, hope that the approaching summer shall have an uninterrupted supply of power along with a cut down in the costs as well, which indeed is urgently required. But when we look back to the previous days and present as well, the situation does not necessarily encourage people to be very optimistic. Being rich in water resources is like the fairy tale stories that hardly come true.

Oj Man Singh Shrestha,

CERID, Tripureswor

n Nepal being rich in water resources and despite having its great potential in hydropower has not been able to tap it. Probably it is finance, the first and foremost thing that comes ahead of everything when it comes to initiate any development activities. The inability to utilise the natural resources has hit not only the power sector but also has been affecting agricultural sector. Thanks to the donor agencies whose effort has brought Kali Gandaki A, the biggest-ever hydroelectric plant in the country, into being. Experts opine that the power consumption in the country is far too less than the power generating capacity of the project and that it could be advantageous to the country if the extra power could be sold to neighbouring countries. This is another strong clue that there will be no power shortage in the country and we need not to panic over the possible power cut -- be it summer or winter.

Ambika Pandey, Chitwan

n It is a tragedy that despite being one of the richest countries in terms of water resources, we are still suffering from the problem of loadsheddings. The arrival of country’s largest hydropower, Kali Gandaki A, has made me quite optimistic about approaching summer. The blandishment towards extemporaneous brighter night especially in summer is quite common because everyone aspires to lead a cool summer by utilising the magic of electricity.

Ujwal Shrestha

n After the completion of big hydropower project Kali Gandaki A, approximately 144 MW of power, will be added in our National grid. Demand for power in various region of Nepal will be satisfied with this. But, as we all know, most of the demand of electricity in Terai region of Nepal has been satisfied by buying power from India. But, the electricity facility in this area is not regular. So, due to this, many factories in Terai are running in only half of their capacity and in addition to this there are many places in Nepal where electricity facility has not reached till date.

Due to this rise in demand of electricity in various regions of Nepal, 144 MW from Kali Gandaki A project will be only able to minimise the overall demand of electricity in this country. But in order to bring our country in the situation of "electricity surplus", various projects like this should be established.

Neeraj Regmi,

Chabhil, Kathmandu

n As the famous saying goes "When it rained porridge, beggars had no spoon", things have been happening in Nepal. Despite being rich in water resources, we always have suffered from loadsheddings. And I see no improvement in the days to come no matter however large the power plant may be because today we have not been able to use at maximum what we were supposed to. But I have always believed we should always hope for the best. So, as per the largest power plant is concerned, I hope, wish and pray to the God that it may change my concept about all these stuff going on. Kali Gandaki A’s operation may serve not only in a limited region but also throughout Nepal.

Sunila Gorkhali,

CIT College, Kathmandu.

n Although Kali Gandaki A is country’s largest power plant, it is a drop in an ocean. Great territory of Nepal is still in dark. Many people are suffering from not only loadshedding but also from less power supply. In approaching summer loadshedding should keep at bay. It is generally hoped that Kali Gandaki A will avoid loadshedding and less power supply. Moreover, by the summer, Kali Gandaki A will have turned over a new leaf.

Anjan Kumar Bhatta,

Trichandra Campus

n I do believe that water resource is one of the valuable gifts we have been endowed with. Being rich in water resources, we always have suffered from loadsheddings. Now, when the country’s largest power plant, Kali Gandaki A has come into operation, we can see a ray of hope. The consumption of electricity is costly in our country. It should be made cheaper so that even poor people may use it. The supply should be constant. It should not fail every now and then. Formerly, the supply of electricity used to fail frequently in the Capital. Nowadays, Nepal Electricity Authority is working efficiently and we are getting a regular supply. We won’t suffer from loadsheddings at all in near future.

Subash Basnet,

Jhumka-5, Sunsari

n Definitely we have been suffering from loadsheddings seasonally for long though our country is rich in water resources. Recently country’s largest power plant Kali Gandaki A, has come into operation. But I don’t think, we will be relieved from the problem very soon because loadshedding is not only the cause of low production of electricity in summer. We don’t have productive management. Anyway high production of electricity from recently launched power plant in the country can be sold and hope would get a well return.

Arjun Prasad Tiwari,

Nayabazar, Kathmandu

n In fact, it’s a great impact to our nation as Kali Gandaki A has been inaugurated and is in the operation. It has brought a great hope for Nepalis to be self-dependent regarding electricity power. But still, the power generation along the kingdom is insufficient.

The consumers’ durability of electricity increases dramatically in summer rather than in winter due to the high use of electrical appliances. Up to some extent, Kali Gandaki A might be able to solve the problem of loadsheddings in upcoming summer. This is the most challenging question at the moment. Being one of the richest countries in water resources Nepalis are still bound to pay a very high electricity rate. Due to this reason, in many part of the kingdom people are unable to enjoy electricity. Kali Gandaki A is a good example of key way to success in production of power but let’s not think it is sufficient for us unless it reaches to remote areas.

Gunjan Luitel, Itahari

n Nepal, being rich in water resources, has been facing loadshedding, which is not what we deserve. Nowadays, although there are no scheduled loadshedding as earlier but we are bound to face power failures at times. Kali Gandaki A, the largest power plant of our country coming into operation, let’s hope that we will have no further loadshedding. We are living in urban areas and we feel difficult to live even some hours or minutes without electricity. And what about the people living in the areas where no electricity is available and not likely to be available for many years to come. So what’s the use of being rich in water resources and having largest power plants like Kali Gandaki A if they cannot fulfil the requirement. So, what we can do is hope for the better.

Bimal Shrestha, Old Baneshwore

n It is heartening that the country’s largest power plant, Kali Gandaki A has come into operation. But I don’t think this will add anything new to the present context of Nepal. The main problem is not just the power deficit; it is the misuse and the improper management of the resources that add to the problem. Unless and until we stop the misuse and corruption in the related fields, the monster of darkness will never spare us.

Sangeet Lamichhaney,

Rampur Campus, Rampur

n I think power is not a problem for Nepal; the only problem is its management and use. It not only depends on the amount of power that we have but it also depends on how the power is shared and networked throughout the country. The demand for electricity is increasing more than the amount that it is produced. So, this excess power may be only for a short span. Until proper measures are taken for the proper maintenance of the project we will not have a loadshedding-free country. Expectations are low and as it totally depends on the people working in the NEA, I give it a probable NO.

Parikshit B Rana,

Viswa Niketan Campus

n There is no doubt that Nepal is rich in water resources. Several big rivers have been utilised to generate hydroelectricity but still we are suffering from loadshedding. Loadshedding in Nepal has become a tradition now. The unfavourable impact of loadshedding upon the industrial arena and economy is a topic to be dealt with seriously. However, rays of hopes have emerged out as the largest power plant Kali Gandaki A is being operated. Let us hope we will have glittering and glowing country in the days to come and Kali Gandaki A would bring a wider spectra of vision to each and every hut in rural areas too.

Suresh Bhatta, Kathmandu

n Since Kali Gandaki A is in operation and the maximum installed capacity is approaching to 600 MW, the maximum power demand of the country is less than the installed capacity. There should not be loadshedding in the coming summer. In the mean time we know that the generating capacity of hydropower stations are reduced due to shortage of water in the rivers. The water discharge in the river is maximum during rainy season and minimum during the winter. The power generation varies according to discharge of water in the rivers. In some snow-fed rivers, the water discharge increases during April-June but during that period the other rivers discharge minimum. Due to these reasons, there may be still some chances of loadshedding during coming summer but it will not be so severe as it used to be in the previous years.

Manjeel Uprety, Gaurinagar, KTM