National Grid Expands to Annapurna Base Camp Trek Route

Kaski. Trekking in the world-famous Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trekking route will now be even easier for domestic and foreign tourists.

The Nepal Electricity Authority has expanded the national transmission line to the area from Jhinudanda of Annapurna Rural Municipality Ward 11 to Upper Sinuwa, making this area bright.

Under the government's plan to electrify the major trekking routes of Kaski district, electricity from the national transmission line has been extended to the tourist area of Annapurna Rural Municipality from Jhinudanda to Upper Sinuwa. With this, local residents, hotel entrepreneurs, and tourists who have been relying on micro-hydro and alternative energy for years will now get reliable electricity service.

This has especially delighted tourism entrepreneurs. Jagdish Gurung, who has been running a hotel in Annapurna 11 Jhinudanda for the past 20 years, said, "It is a matter of great joy that the national transmission line electricity has come here. Tourism here will be further promoted." According to him, 60-70 hotels, big and small, are already in operation from Jhinudanda to Upper Sinuwa.

Mikash Gurung of Annapurna 11 Chhomrong expressed confidence that the national transmission line electricity service will make trekking easier for trekkers as well. With the national transmission line reaching here, trekkers will have easy access to mobile charging, hot water, internet, and other electrical services. According to hotel entrepreneurs, the quality of service will improve significantly as electricity will be available 24 hours a day to tourists.

According to Sanjeevshree Ramtel, an engineer at the Nepal Electricity Authority, Pokhara Distribution Center, the line has been extended from Ghandruk bus park through Jhinudanda and Chhomrong to Upper Sinuwa, and electricity has started flowing. He said, "The national transmission line had not reached the upper areas from Ghandruk bus park. Now the line has been extended up to Upper Sinuwa, charging has been done, and locals have started installing meters."

The electrification of this area was first put out for tender in 2079 BS. After the company selected under the first tender did not sign the contract, the tender was re-issued. BNR Mahalakshmi JV, Dhankuta, completed the project at a cost of Rs 22.1 million for labor contract.

The project implementation was challenging due to the remote Himalayan geography. The Authority stated that electricity poles and transformers were transported by helicopter to extend the line, especially in the areas above Chhomrong.

"Trekkers used to have problems charging their mobiles, heating water, and using the internet. With the arrival of the national transmission line, these problems have been largely resolved," said Engineer Ramtel.

The Authority plans to extend the national transmission line to Himalaya on the ABC trekking route within the next fiscal year. Although work has stopped for now due to a shortage of materials, the Authority has stated that the expansion will continue next year.

According to local residents, the expansion of electricity access will have a positive impact not only on the tourism business but also on education, health, communication, and local economic activities. Ward Chairman of Annapurna Rural Municipality-11, Him Bahadur Gurung, expressed confidence that the expansion of modern electricity facilities will add new energy to the promotion of tourism on the Annapurna trekking route. "Trekkers will no longer have to face problems when trekking in this area, and this has helped in providing easy communication facilities," said Gurung.

It is expected that with the national transmission line reaching the Annapurna Base Camp trekking route, one of the world's popular trekking destinations, the stay and journey of tourists will become easier, safer, and of higher quality. Locals believe this will lead to an increase in tourist arrivals.

Record Tourist Arrivals in Annapurna Region This Year

The Annapurna Conservation Area has seen the highest number of foreign tourists this year to date. The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) stated that 441,422 tourists visited the region by Jestha of the current fiscal year. A total of 278,113 foreign tourists visited the Annapurna region in the fiscal year 2081-82. Project Chief Dr. Rabin Kadel said that the number of tourists is expected to increase further this year as there is still one month left until the end of the current fiscal year.

"In May, the number of tourists from South Asian countries, including India, increased by almost 300 percent," he said, "This is the first time that Indian tourists have come in such large numbers." He attributed the increase in Indian tourists to the promotion of destinations like Pokhara and Muktinath in India, ease of transportation, and publicity through social media. This season, Indian tourists also visit Pokhara and surrounding areas to escape the heat.

According to the data from the project office, out of the total tourists who arrived by Jestha, 319,419 were from South Asian countries and 121,993 were from other countries. In May alone, 127,459 tourists visited the Annapurna region. Last year, in May, this number was limited to just 31,955. Lakshman Subedi, Chairman of the Hotel Association Pokhara, said that the occupancy rate in Pokhara's hotels reached 90 percent in April-May this year.

He said that the number of Indian tourists in Pokhara increases during this season before the monsoon. Pokhara is a preferred destination for Indians to escape the heat. About 40 percent of Indian tourists visiting Pokhara go for Muktinath darshan. Tourists from other countries visiting various destinations for trekking also spend some time in Pokhara. The Annapurna region is considered a world-famous destination for trekking tourism.

Tourists travel via the Annapurna Circuit trek to destinations such as Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal, Ghandruk, Tilicho Lake in Manang, Thorong La Pass, Upper Mustang, Muktinath area, Ghorepani in Myagdi, etc. The Annapurna Conservation Area Project collects data only for foreign tourists visiting these destinations. The Annapurna Conservation Area, spread over 7,600 square kilometers, is famous for its natural beauty, biodiversity, Himalayan life, and culture.

Short, medium, and long-distance treks in the Annapurna region can be undertaken from various routes including Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, and Myagdi. The Annapurna Conservation Area includes 87 wards of 15 local levels in Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, Myagdi, and Mustang. The Annapurna Circuit trek is considered excellent for sightseeing due to its attractive destinations, tourism-friendly infrastructure, hospitality, and services.