Binod Panta
Kathmandu, December 16: The life of every Nepali citizen is really hardened by the increasing schedule of load shedding. As the water in the river goes down, the power generating capacity is drastically reduced. We don't have other option other than to cut the power. The deficit of power is around 5.4 million units daily" said Sher Singh Bhat, chief of Systems Operation Department of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).
Because of political instability in the country there is no any immediate sign for ending the power cut. Nepalese have to prepare for severe load shedding for a long time. As soon as the winter approaches when demands of power go up, the power generation declines. As there is no option for load shedding, it is going to be a way of life for the population living in the urban areas.
Like all prime ministers in the past, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, shared his dream of selling power to India to make Nepalese rich. Just weeks after his statement that Nepal will construct the power projects about 10,000 MW in ten years, NEA had announced the severe load shedding of 7 hours a day.In early December the weekly load- shedding had gone up from 31 to 45 hours a week. Since then, it has been a steady northward journey much to everybody's discomfort. The weekly load shedding touched 70 hours on December 18. As per the current schedule, there will be 16 hours load shedding daily that is 108 hours a week across the nation for six days a week.
Thanks to the new harsh schedule, many industries have already declared that they will shut down factories if the government does not supply adequate power. Due to power cuts, many workers from different industries and factories have already been laid off. “Kush Kumar Joshi, an industrialist stated that there is no any option for them than to shut down the industries. Despite certain relief to the industrial corridors and industrial states, large number of industries lying outside these centers are set for closure till the regular power supply," he said. "If government gives us an opportunity, we will find a way out."
Not only the industrial sector, the short supply of electricity has disturbed overall social, educational, cultural life of the people all over Nepal.
