Dhading, February 8

Locals of Chimbang village at Beighat Rural Municipality are forced to live in the dark for want of electricity in Dhading.

It is not that Chimbang is not connected to the electricity network.  Twenty-kilowatt power was generated from Malekhu Hydro Power with support from Alternative Energy Promotion Centre in 2012. The power was supplied to as many as 129 households.

After the 2015 quakes damaged the powerhouse, locals had chipped in money and repaired the damaged hydel project. However, power supply was halted after the motherboard at the powerhouse broke down a year later.

Local Chandra Bahadur Tamang complained that negligence on the part of local level and other concerned agencies in repairing the motherboard had forced locals to stay in darkness.  Electricity poles have been erected here and there and bulbs have been installed at every home.

“However, delay in repair of the motherboard has compelled locals to use oil-fed lamps,” said Tamang.

Lack of electricity has hit students the hardest. Students preparing for Secondary Education Examination (SEE) are affected due to lack of electricity. Locals have to walk about three hours to get their mobile phones charged at the nearest market.