Preparation work on MCC-funded projects expedited

Kathmandu; The authorities concerned have expedited preliminary work of ‘Entry Into Force’ (Pre-EIF) for the proposed transmission lines and road maintenance projects under Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact.

According to the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Nepal Development Committee, the MCC has started documentation works related to resettlement work plan, addressing the grievances on the alignment of transmission lines, land acquisition, permission to cut trees that fall along the alignments, formulation of gender and social plans, preparation of road maintenance and contracting the construction work.

Presenting a progress report on Thursday, the MCA Nepal said MCC has completed design of transmission lines and sub-stations that are proposed to be constructed under the program. Out of the proposed 315 km stretch of 400 kV transmission lines, a resurvey of 30 km has been started.

Likewise, the tender documents to call for ‘Invitation for Bids’ for transmission lines and substations in Ratamate, Damauli and New Butwal have been prepared. After concluding the land compensation to build Ratamate substation, resettlement of the affected people in the area has been started. Recently, the government has also endorsed the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) of the proposed projects.

The MCC Compact funded project is constructing transmission lines from Lapsiphedi of Shankharapur Municipality-3 of Kathmandu through Ratamate of Nuwakot, New Hetauda of Makwanpur, New Damauli of Tanahu and New Butwal of Nawalparasi districts, which will go up to the Nepal-India border. Based on its EIA, it has reduced the proposed number of electricity towers from 1,315 units to 854 units.

Similarly, the government authorities including the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport and Department of Roads have consented to allow maintenance of 77 km of road segment that connects Dhankhola to Shivakhola of Dang district under the compact. The project has started preliminary work to measure the lifetime of 7,000 km of national highways through a device ‘Falling Weight Deflectometer’.

Under the MCC Compact, the Pre-EIF phase will be completed in August, 2023. A total of 12.78 percent ($80.50 million) has been earmarked for the period. For the Post-EIF period of the next five years, the MCC will be spending an estimated $549.50 million. If the fund is not spent in the stipulated time, Nepal will have to return the remaining amount to the MCC.