The KMC is in talks with the Thamel Tourism Development Council (TTDC) to install solar lamps in Thamel. “As a tourist area, we have always wanted to illuminate Thamel. We are very hopeful about this project,” said Bimal Rijal, chief of the KMC’s Urban Development Division. The model, public-private partnership, is the similar to one implemented in Durbarmarg, he said.

Last year, the Durbarmarg Development Board invested Rs 11.27 million on the solar lamps while the KMC provided technical and logistical support. The undertaking was a part of KMC’s “Kathmandu Ujyalo Karyakram”—a project aimed at lighting up the streets of Kathmandu with solar powered lamps. The KMC later received Rs 380 million from the Asian Development Bank for the project.

However, the major hurdle for the KMC is the confusion over the norms of solar lights. “We still do not have a standardization of what lights, battery from which manufacturer should be used,” Rijal said. “Right now, we are relying on various manufactures and we do not know what brand is good and long-lasting,”

he said. Another problem for the project in Thamel is managing space to stock up panels and batteries. “In Durbarmarg, all panels and batteries are stored in one place with support from local business,” Rijal said.

As part of the project, the KMC plans to install solar-powered street lamps in major strategic roads. A basic unit of solar-powered street lamp, including lamppost, solar panel, battery and bulb, costs around Rs 55,000. LED lights that use 18-24 watts of energy give light for about ten hours.