Valley
Delay in solar lamp installation causes inconvenience to public
The Kathmandu Metropolitan City has started the second phase of installing 1,285 solar street lamps from last week. But the works are not progressing smoothly, as evidenced by the lamp posts laid along the footpaths beside freshly dug pits in different parts of the city these days.The Kathmandu Metropolitan City has started the second phase of installing 1,285 solar street lamps from last week. But the works are not progressing smoothly, as evidenced by the lamp posts laid along the footpaths beside freshly dug pits in different parts of the city these days.
While pedestrians are having to skirt these lamp posts and holes in the pavements to get to their destinations, the metropolis has said that BK Traders and Suppliers is answerable for the delay.
KMC Spokesperson Gyanendra Karki said the BK Traders is responsible for installing the street lamps since the project is based on public-private partnership model under which the firm will install and maintain the lamps for 10 years and generate revenue by renting out advertising space built on each lamp post.
“We are aware of the inconvenience caused by the lamp posts lying on footpaths, so we have already instructed the BK Traders to speed up the installation works,” said Karki.
Roshan Shrivastava, director of BK Traders, said they will sort out the problem within a week.
He also sought for the KMC’s assistance in managing the high tension lines so that workers could erect the lamp posts.
“We are also being obstructed by the KMC staff while digging holes to install the lamp posts. To complete the works successfully and in time we want the KMC to stand one hundred per cent behind us,” said Shrivastava.
BK Traders is going to invest Rs 520 million in solar lamp installation. Around 500 lamps will be installed in the second phase, from Durbarmarg to Kathmandu Plaza and from Kamalphokhari to Gaushala. In the third phase, it plans to install 384 lamps at places like Sankhamul, New Baneshwor, Tinkune, Koteshwor, Narephat, Old Baneshwor, Bhimsengola and Sinamangal. The project is expected to be completed by November.