Kathmandu Streets Left in Darkness as KMC and NEA Dispute Over Unpaid Bills
Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) owes nearly Rs 2 billion in unpaid electricity bills for streetlights, leading the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to disconnect power to numerous streetlights across the city.
At a recent meeting, Ward 12 Chairperson Balakrishna Maharjan voiced concerns about the worsening situation, citing non-functional streetlights on major roads like Teku-Kalanki via Kalimati. “Locals are complaining that despite having streetlights, they don’t work. The NEA has cut power due to unpaid bills, and this issue needs immediate attention,” said Maharjan. However, Mayor Balen Shah remained silent on the matter during the meeting.
Rising Risks for Pedestrians and Commuters
Darkness on key routes like Tripureshwor, Kalimati, and Kalanki has created unsafe conditions for pedestrians and commuters. Residents are forced to rely on vehicle headlights to navigate. “If the capital is in such a state, imagine the condition of other areas,” remarked Sabitra Thapa, a pedestrian.
Motorcyclists like Sunil Malakar have also raised concerns about safety, mentioning risks such as stray animal attacks and limited visibility.
NEA Justifies Power Cuts
NEA spokesperson Chandan Ghosh explained that power is disconnected automatically when bills are overdue, even for government bodies. “Many municipalities owe large sums for streetlight electricity. We’ve only cut power where dues remain unpaid,” he said.
KMC Denies NEA’s Claims
KMC argues that it has been regularly paying Rs 1.4 to 1.5 million monthly for electricity bills. However, KMC’s Administration Department claims that older streetlight setups lack proper records, complicating payments. “We cannot pay arbitrary amounts. There’s also a dispute over older dues,” said Dhruva Kafle, the department head.
KMC further pointed out that NEA owes Rs 510 million in pole royalties, lease taxes, and property taxes. Both parties have identified 38,422 streetlight poles in the city, but discrepancies remain over outstanding payments.
Breakdown of NEA’s Claim
As of FY 2080/81, NEA records show that KMC owes Rs 1.85 billion, distributed across its major distribution centers, including:
- Ratnapark: Rs 924.7 million
- Baneshwor: Rs 428.6 million
- Kuleshwor: Rs 311.4 million
While both sides maintain conflicting claims, the city’s residents continue to suffer. Resolving this financial dispute is crucial to restoring basic streetlighting and ensuring public safety in Kathmandu.