Pokhara, July 11

Pokhara Sub-metropolis is set to introduce solar lights at major chowks, hospitals, schools, and tourism sites in a couple of months.

Dhruba Bhattarai, engineer with the Urban Development Project and Housing Design Department of the sub-metropolis, said the project will be completed by the end of August. “As per the plan, all essential paraphernalia has reached us.

At present poles are being installed for the lights,” he said. Places like Lake Side, Western Regional Hospital, Phulbari, Siddharthachowk, Chipledhunga and Dam Side are set to be lit by solar electricity.

Bhattarai added that 65 per cent of the project’s expenses is being borne by the Local Development Ministry and local consumers and the sub-metropolis will bear 25 and 10 per cent of the estimated budget respectively.

“Despite the provision of the law of the land of only allocating 15 per cent to local consumers, the high percentage was allocated as per the consumers’ recommendation,” he added.

The sub-metropolis has selected six companies for the project.

Meanwhile, SP Ghanashyam Aryal of District Police Office hailed the sub-metropolis’s initiatives, saying the project will be very vital in maintaining law and order in society.

“The solar lights will make it easier to keep nefarious activities in check at night, because in the past it was difficult due to load shedding,” he said.