High tension wire affects school
Dolakha, May 12
Overhead high tension power lines have compromised the safety of more than 400 students at Devi Secondary School in Bhimeshwor Municipality, Dolakha, for long.
The 132kv Lamosangu-Jiri transmission line passes just above the school that has been running classes inside improvised shelters after the earthquakes three years ago. “As the power lines are just overhead, we can't help worrying about our kids when they are at school,” said Kaji Budhathoki.
The school, which runs classes up to Grade XII, is one of the best in the entire district given its good academic records. But, it has failed to maintain fitting physical infrastructure, as it is located under the power line that prevents any further construction.
According to principal Kishor Dahal, in the present circumstances, classes have to be frequently halted when it rains or there are storms.
“We're in quite a fix as we can't shift the school elsewhere due to lack of land and the authorities don't listen to our pleas to shift the transmission line,” Dahal said.
“Though the education office has allocated Rs 9.8 million for construction of school building, there is no way we can erect the building unless the power lines or the school is shifted elsewhere,” he added.
Nepal Electricity Authority Dolakha branch, expressed helplessness. “It's risky to run a school or build physical infrastructure within nine metres of high voltage power lines. But, shifting or rerouting the transmission line is out of the question as the power lines were built by paying due compensation to landowners,” said the branch chief Amritbabu Adhikari.
