Irregular Electricity and Damaged Roads Disrupt Daily Life in Rural Ilam

When traveling from Jhilmili city to Ilam, don’t forget to carry a torchlight, especially in rural areas. Traditional oil lamps are unavailable, kerosene sales have nearly stopped, and candles are only found for special occasions like birthdays.

The rural parts of Ilam are almost entirely plunged into darkness. Before the monsoon, electricity would flicker on for short periods, only to go off quickly as if daylight had broken. The local villages are not illuminated like disco clubs filled with twinkle lights.

For the past six months, consumers in northern Ilam have had to endure nights in complete darkness. Due to irregular electricity supply, some have installed inverters while others rely on solar panels.

Residents complain to the Electricity Authority and district administration after paying electricity bills for the designated periods without receiving power. Despite multiple petitions and requests facilitated by local government bodies, the problem remains unresolved.

Local resident Keshar Gurung stated, ‘We are utterly exhausted now. Writing on Facebook or meeting the Chief District Officer brings no improvement.’

Another resident, Purna Mukhiya, added that except for Ilam Bazaar, most rural areas have faced unannounced load-shedding continuously for seven months, without receiving a single full day of regular electricity.

Rewat Kumar Chaudhary, head of the Ilam branch of the Electricity Authority, explained, ‘Although electricity may be out for about five hours daily on average, this should not be classified as load-shedding. The main issues are lightning strikes and long transmission lines.’

Particularly, the feeders at Sakhejung and Sandakpur are problematic, where bamboo and trees near transmission lines frequently touch cables causing rapid power outages.

When transformers located far from transmission lines break down, repairs require personnel to travel on foot. Rain exacerbates outages. The Authority is conducting line patrolling and trimming trees every Saturday; however, local Sharad Subba regards this as a mere excuse.

Subba complained, ‘They close the road every Saturday for six months to trim the vegetation, but the issue persists.’

Speaking about his tea processing factory, he said irregular electricity supply has created major difficulties. ‘We are forced to run diesel generators, having paid Rs. 400,000 in diesel expenses since Chaitra (March-April).’

Similarly, nine other tea factories in the Sandakpur area are facing electrical issues and have registered complaints with the Authority.

Road Conditions Also Problematic: Challenging Terrain for The Sick and Disabled

Visitors to Ilam often need to bring stretchers since walking on muddy paths is unavoidable in certain areas. Locals urge elderly, patients, and children to minimize travel.

The current condition of the Maikhola road along the Mechi Highway is reported to be poor. Continuous rainfall has caused further damage, making vehicle and pedestrian travel extremely difficult during the rainy season.

The road is so damaged that only half of it can be crossed on foot, while the other half requires vehicles to transport travelers. The Nepali Army and Armed Police frequently carry patients and disabled persons by stretcher on this route.

Due to the main road blockage in Ilam, there is growing local concern over potential shortages of fuel and food supplies. Although there are two alternative unpaved roads, they are unreliable.

Local transport operator Grishma Subba attributed the halted transport services mainly to repair works starting only during the rainy season.