Kathmandu, September 19

As the Nepal Electricity Authority has begun installation of new electricity cables in major areas of the capital, tangled cables lying on the footpaths have become a common sight. These cables have been discarded haphazardly on the footpaths hindering pedestrian movement.

Currently, the NEA is installing new electricity cables along the streets in Bagbazaar, Gaurighat, Balkhu, Kupondole and Bhaktapur, among many other places.

Shima Dangol, 29, of Chabahil was trying to remove the electric cables lying on the footpath at Bagbazaar with her feet. “I nearly stumbled when I stepped over the tangled cables lying on footpath,” Dangol said.

Bagbazaar has its footpath strewn with tangled cables and pedestrians can be seen walking cautiously to avoid stumbling.

The electric cables hanging overhead are even more dangerous.

“When I walked along the Bagbazaar street, I happened to step on the tangled cables. I was horrified and almost stumbled,” said Ram Lal Subedi, 25, of Sindhupalchok. Tangled cables lying on the footpath have made the movement of the elderly, children, and the disabled all the more difficult.

Shopkeeper Hira Shrestha, 45, at Bagbazaar said she has already seen many people stumble while walking along the footpath. “Yesterday, I saw an elderly man, who tripped on the cable and fell down on the footpath,” she said.

In addition, uprooted concrete utility poles can also be seen lying on the streets obstructing vehicular and pedestrian movement.