Houses are being constructed haphazardly under high-tension power cables in the district, thanks to sheer negligence of the authorities concerned.

Although the Electricity Regulation 2055 BS prohibits construction of houses near high-tension power cables, such activities have been going unabated. The government concerned over the increasing number of deaths due to lightening strikes last year had amended the previous legislation prohibiting construction of houses within two metre radius of the high tension power cables.

However, the authorities concerned have granted the permission to construct houses against the law and without taking into consideration the safety of the public. The high voltage power cables from the two hydro projects—Kulekhani and Marsyangdi—connect to the powerhouse at Bharatpur. While hundreds of houses have been constructed at a distance of 90 kilometres from both the projects, no local authorities have shown any concerns.

“The municipality office granted the permission easily and no one has shown up for supervision yet,” one of the house owners in the area said, adding that many people constructed houses in the area as the land was low-priced. Meanwhile, officials at the Nepal Electricity Authority accused local bodies of being negligent and granting permissions for the construction of houses in prohibited areas.

Subash Dahal, an NEA official, said their frequent requests to the local agencies to strictly adhere to the regulations had fallen on deaf ears. Locals also say that local body authorities have shown little concern over the matter.

The NEA stated that risks of accidents caused by high voltage power cables are higher in the area in comparison to the hills. While the poles connecting the cables are at a distance of one hill to the other and high above the ground, the proximity level between the cables and the ground is just 5.8metres.

Acknowledging that houses were built due to the lack of their supervision, Engineer Ishwor Rajbhandari of the Bharatpur Municipality Office said many people had acquired permissions build houses in the area by furnishing false documents.