Work on the Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium, which has been suspended
for the past five months due to lack of funds, has been cut off due to non-payment of
electricity tariff. Nepal Electricity Authority Bharatpur Distribution Center has cut the line
after the arrears increased.
According to NEA's Bharatpur Center Engineer Rajendra Poudel, the electricity tariff of
the stadium has reached Rs. 887,000. He said that the line was cut after the tariff was
not paid for four months.
The Dhurmus Suntali Foundation has withdrawn from the construction of the stadium
due to lack of funds. The foundation has also requested the Bharatpur Municipal
Corporation to take ownership saying that more than Rs. 17 crore is yet to be paid.
NEA has also cut the line of the industry as the liquor company Mount Everest Brewery
is yet to pay the arrears of Rs 37 lakh 41 thousand.
Along with this, the line of 12 small firms and organizations has been cut, said Poudel.
According to the office, the Bharatpur distribution center, which has more than 50,000
customers, is yet to collect Rs 1 crore 40 lakh including arrears for more than 60 days.
Poudel informed that the arrears in this office alone had reached Rs. 7 crores in the last
few years. The arrears have come down in recent years due to tightening of tariff
collection.
By Muna Chand
