Urja Khabar
Kathmandu: The authorities speed up work of the Hetauda-Dhalkebar 400 kV transmission line, which was put on hold for over a decade, aiming to bring it into operation immediately after Dashain.
As a large portion of the installation work has been completed, preparations have been started to complete the remaining work of the transmission line at a fast pace to bring it into operation soon.
Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, in this regard, inspected the under-construction Hetauda-Dhalkebar 400 kV substation on Saturday. While Minister Shrestha took a briefing on the progress of two multi-circuit towers at the substation, he directed the concerned authority to complete the work of the tower, which is considered the country's energy backbone.
During the inspection, Minister Shrestha said that the Hetauda-Dhalkebar transmission line is the energy backbone of the entire country. "The construction of 16 towers, including the one connecting Chitwan-Butwal and others passing through Dhalkebar, had been stalled for 12 years,'' he said. "Billions of rupees have been spent by the state, while a collaborative effort has also made it possible to do a historic work at a time when there was a dilemma to take it forward.''
The transmission line can be developed into an energy highway, enabling two-way passage of electricity between Butwal and Inaruwa. The concern was mainly with the installation of two towers. "With the active participation of all the team members, it has reached the completion stage. This will be a notable achievement as the line will have a capacity to transmit 2,000 megawatts of electricity following its construction," Minister Shrestha said.
Executive Director of Nepal Electricity Authority, Dirghayu Kumar Shrestha, said that out of the 16 towers of the transmission line, 14 double-circuit towers have been constructed. Two multi-circuit towers have reached the final stage.
According to Shrestha, the remaining structure will be prepared and taken for charging within 10/15 days. "It is expected to ensure a reliable electricity supply, as it will also help increase domestic consumption while facilitating export," he added.
