Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is preparing to implement a special plan related to road safety, laying underground electric wires and relocating poles in the major urban areas of the country for the current fiscal year 2083/084.

The NRA has directed its subordinate provincial and division offices to submit the required integrated details by August 10 for two different projects to be implemented under the government-approved program.

NEA has stated in a letter dated July 26 that it is going to implement the “Pole Shifting and Road Safety Project in the main cities of the local bodies” as per the program of the fiscal year 2083/084 BS. The main objective of the project is to minimize road accidents by replacing electric poles that have been obstructing road expansion and traffic safety.

The distribution offices of Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces as well as distribution centers under the division offices in Hetauda and Nepalgunj have been asked to coordinate with the concerned local governments for the project.

The NRA has directed to send certified details along with the recommendations of the local level to ensure that there is no duplication of work with the programs of the Department of Roads, local level or other bodies.

Likewise, the NEA will also operate ‘underground electricity supply, pole and wire management and urban beautification project’ keeping in mind the enhancement of urban beauty. The project will be centered in the distribution centers under Bagmati Provincial Office (Kathmandu), Gandaki Provincial Office (Pokhara) and Bagmati Province Division Office (Hetauda).

The program is being prepared based on long-term need to improve the urban beauty damaged due to the haphazardly hung wires and poles in the main urban areas and to make the electricity system safe and underground. For this, the integrated details have to be submitted to the NRA Directorate within August 9 by coordinating with the concerned local level, Department of Roads and other bodies.

According to the NRA, after effective implementation of both these projects, the reduction in road accidents in major cities of the country and removal of the network of poles and wires that have been in disarray for many years is expected to improve the aesthetics of the city.