Darchula roads illuminated with solar street lights
Darchula: The roads of Darchula, which used to remain dark at night due to power cuts, are now illuminated with solar street lights. After the installation of solar lights along the main highway from Bet of Mahakali Municipality-9 to Shreebagad of Ward No. 1 via the district headquarters Khalanga, night travel has become easier.
Mahakali Municipality Information Officer Yubaraj Joshi informed that the municipality installed street lights using solar energy under a supplementary grant from the Sudurpaschim Province Government. According to him, solar lights have been installed along 207 roads from Bet to Khalanga.
“Even during power cuts, the roads will no longer be dark,” he said. “This scheme is expected to help reduce possible accidents and criminal activities during nighttime.”
According to Joshi, the provincial government provided a total of Rs 26.4 million as a supplementary grant. The municipality invited bids and signed an agreement with Ultra Infosys at a cost of Rs 14.191 million, under which the company completed the installation of solar lights across the area.
Recently, electricity service in Darchula has become irregular, and intermittent power supply had left roads deserted at night. Considering this situation, Mahakali Municipality Mayor Narsingh Chaisir said the municipality prioritized the installation of solar street lights.
Mayor Chaisir stated that the solar lights have been expanded under the slogan “Bright Mahakali, Safe Mahakali.” He said the municipality has completed the installation of poles, solar panels, batteries, and lights. “The campaign to illuminate the main areas of the municipality has been successful,” he said, adding that locals should support its sustainable maintenance.
Currently, street lights have been installed in areas including the main market of district headquarters Khalanga, along the Mahakali River, Lasku, Banga Bagad and Shree Bagad along the Mahakali Corridor.
According to municipality information technology officer Bhupendra Raikhola, the supplier company for the solar street lights has committed to maintenance support for one year. “If any problem arises, the company has made arrangements for immediate repair,” he said, adding that the panels and batteries are covered under the agreement.
Locals and transport entrepreneurs have expressed positive feedback after the installation of solar street lights. Local resident Jagatsingh Chaisir of Mahakali Municipality-9 said it has become easier to walk at night and that such initiatives will help reduce unwanted incidents.
Some locals have also demanded additional street lights in Khalanga Bazaar, Dallekh area, and around Khulamanch. Local resident Govinda Awasthi said that while the municipality’s initiative is positive, damaged old lights in the market area should also be repaired and brought back into operation.
The municipality has stated that installation could not be expanded immediately in some market areas due to lack of electricity poles and space. It added that damaged lights will be repaired and brought back into operation.