By Manoj Bhattarai

Okhaldhunga, Nov. 28: After the introduction of rural electrification programme by Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), many micro hydroelectric power systems established in the district by the locals in the financial assistance of different organisations have now become useless.
Prior to the introduction of the electrification programme, the micro hydroelectric plants were producing more than 1.5MW electricity in Okhaldhunga. At least Rs. 5 million is required to produce 10KW electricity in the rural areas.
Conservation and protection of the micro hydroelectric plants set up from the direct investment of the locals has fallen short after the introduction of the electrification programme.
Bed Bahadur Rokka, chairman of Khijidemba Rural Municipality, said, “After the government started distributing central electricity in every village, production of electricity from micro hydroelectric systems has stopped.” These hydroelectric plants are now in dilapidated state, he added.
Rokka said that since the national transmission line could not reach Khijidemba Rural Municipality in next few years, the micro hydroelectric plants operating in local levels would continue the production of electricity.
“Investments of the locals to produce electricity have been a waste after the government started distributing electricity in Likhu, Champadevi, Chisangkhugadhi, Molung, Manebhanjyang and Sunkoshi Rural Municipalities,” said Rudra Prasad Adhikari, chairman of Sunkoshi Rural Municipalities.
Until now 350KW power in different wards of Khijidemba Rural Municipality, 250 KW in Likhu Rural Municipality, 150 KW in Chisangkhugadhi and Manebhanjyang Rural Muncipalities, 275 KW in Champadevi Rural Municipality and 200 KW in Molung Rural Municipality are being produced from the micro hydroelectric projects and peltric sets.
More than 200KW electricity is being produced in the district headquarters, Siddhicharan Municipality itself.
Even though the locals of Manebhanjyang Rural Municipality had invested millions of Rupees to establish the micro hydroelectric plants, only one of them is now in operation.
Motiraj Rai, chairman of Manebhanjyang Rural Municipality, said that they had been striving to ensure full electrification of the Rural Municipality within one year.
“The investment made by the locals is in the verge of being wasted as the NEA has not taken the ownership of the micro hydroelectric projects,” said Phatta Bahadur Poudel, Manager of Dudelkharka Micro Hydroelectricity Project, Gamnangtar.
Poudel said that the 18 KW Dudelkharka Micro Hydroelectricity Project is in the state of being closed after the NEA decided to take only the electric wires and poles.
Sanjiv Shah, Chief, NEA, Okhaldhunga, said that the NEA would take over the electric wires and poles of micro hydroelectricity project only if they would come in handy through meek repairs.