February 18: Residents of Damphu town have been facing erratic power supply for a long time. The problem will be solved soon when the power transmission lines from the Basochu Hydro Power Plant reaches Tsirang.

Consistent power supply is what the residents of Damphu in Tsirang have been wishing and praying for so many years. And now as our correspondent Sonam Ugyen reports it will not be long before the residents see their prayers answered.

According to the Bhutan Power Corporation (BPC), power transmission lines from Basochu Hydro Power Plant will reach Damphu town by the end of May this year.

Over 50 percent of the work has been completed so far. Once it is complete, residents can make full use of their electronic cooking appliances. They can also use room heaters during the winter. At the moment residents are not allowed to use heaters of any kind due to the low power voltage.

Meanwhile, rural Tsirang will have to wait for a year or more depending on the remoteness of their village before electricity reaches their homes. Villages that are very far from motor-able road might take five to six years to get power supply.

However, the BPC says they are confident about achieving the country’s goal of electricity for all by 2020.

The General Manager of the Rural Electrification Department of BPC says over three thousand households in Tsirang will be provided with electricity under the 10th five year plan.

The Japan Bank of International Cooperation is providing some US$ 32 million for rural electrification.