Nepal-India Agree to Expedite Cross-border Transmission Projects to Boost Energy Trade

KATHMANDU; Nepal and India have agreed to accelerate the study, construction and capacity enhancement of key cross-border transmission infrastructure to strengthen bilateral energy cooperation and facilitate growing electricity trade.

The agreement was reached during the 13th meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Working Group (JWG) on Power Sector Cooperation, held in Pokhara on Tuesday. The joint secretary-level mechanism reviewed the progress made since its 12th meeting in New Delhi on January 22, 2025, and endorsed a series of measures aimed at expanding cross-border power connectivity.

The Nepali delegation was led by Sandeep Kumar Dev, joint secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, while the Indian side was headed by Pankaj Kumar, joint secretary in the Power Transmission Division of India's Ministry of Power.

According to Shaligram Bhandari, co-spokesperson of Nepal's Ministry of Energy, the meeting agreed to expedite the technical review of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Chameliya–Jauljibi 220 kV cross-border transmission line, finalize the report, and move the project toward implementation.

The two sides also reviewed progress on the decision taken at the previous JWG meeting to increase the power transfer capacity of the Dhalkebar–Muzaffarpur 400 kV cross-border transmission line from 800 MW to 1,000 MW. They further agreed to conduct technical studies on strengthening conductors and other associated equipment to further enhance the line's transmission capacity.

The meeting reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the Inaruwa–Purnea and Dododhara–Bareilly 400 kV cross-border transmission line projects, which will be developed through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) established in both countries under a joint investment framework. As agreed previously, the respective project companies have already been incorporated in Nepal and India.

The two sides also discussed the development of additional cross-border transmission infrastructure to support Nepal's growing electricity exports. They agreed to work toward simplifying and streamlining the approval process for power exports from Nepal to India in line with the roadmap adopted during earlier bilateral meetings.

The recommendations and agreements reached by the Joint Working Group will be submitted for endorsement at the Nepal-India Joint Steering Committee (JSC) meeting at the secretary level, scheduled to be held on Wednesday.

The Nepali delegation at the JSC meeting will be led by Sarita Dawadi, Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.