Kathmandu, November 8, 2024 – A 220 kV capacity substation is under construction in Dharapani, Nasong Rural Municipality-1, Manang, as part of the Marsyangdi Corridor 220 kV Transmission Line Project. The 220 kV capacity substation being constructed in Khudi, Marsyangdi Rural Municipality-3, Lamjung, under the same project, is in its final stages of construction.
The Dharapani substation is expected to be completed within one and a half years, while the Khudi substation is in the final stages of work, aiming for completion within three months. Construction is progressing swiftly on civil structures, such as the ground leveling for the Dharapani substation site, installation areas for power transformers, and control rooms.
The Dharapani and Khudi substations will be equipped with 220/132 kV, 100 MVA, and 132/33 kV, 30 MVA transformers, and 220/132 kV, 160 MVA, and 132/33 kV, 50 MVA transformers, respectively. Arrangements for local electricity supply have been made at both substations, and once operational, these substations will ensure reliable and quality power supply to Lamjung and Manang.
Nepal Electricity Authority’s Managing Director, Kulman Ghising, conducted an on-site inspection of the substations and transmission line construction, discussing the project’s progress, challenges, and timelines with project management and contractors. He urged all involved in the construction to ensure timely completion by increasing workforce capacity. Director Ghising also discussed with locals in Dharapani to encourage cooperation in the construction of the substation and transmission line.
“Hydropower projects contracted to connect to the Marsyangdi Corridor Transmission Line have already begun construction. Hence, the line must be completed as soon as possible, with particular attention to timelines and quality,” Ghising stated. “Though national grid power has reached the geographically remote Manang, reliable and quality power supply remains a challenge. Completing the transmission line and substation is essential for improving supply reliability.”
He mentioned that the project is committed to meeting legitimate demands from local residents around the substation site and that planned efforts are underway to improve power supply in the tourist area of Manang.
The Marsyangdi Corridor 220 kV Transmission Line Project was initiated to transmit the electricity generated by the Marsyangdi River and its tributaries to the national grid. The transmission line, spanning approximately 114 kilometers from Bharatpur, Chitwan, to Dharapani, Manang, is being developed in three packages. Under the first package, a 68-kilometer transmission line is under construction from Udipur to the new Bharatpur substation via Markichowk in Tanahun. Foundation work has been completed for 125 of the 199 towers in this section, and 65 towers have been erected.
Under the second package, the construction of 220 kV substations in Udipur, Lamjung, and Bharatpur, Chitwan, has been completed.
The third package involves the construction of a 46-kilometer transmission line from Dharapani to Khudi to Udipur and substations in Dharapani and Khudi. In the Khudi–Udipur section, foundations have been laid for 17 towers, and 8 towers have been erected. However, a few residents in Ward-8 of Besishahar Municipality have been blocking construction for two years, demanding either a reroute of the transmission line or full compensation for affected lands. Compensation rates have been determined, and around 80% of affected landowners have received payments.
Managing Director Ghising met with Lamjung’s Chief District Officer Buddha Bahadur Gurung to request support and facilitation in resolving issues along the Khudi–Udipur section. “We have been addressing legitimate local demands and working accordingly, but construction of this important transmission line cannot be delayed further,” he emphasized. The Chief District Officer assured that the administration would assist and coordinate in removing obstacles to construction, recognizing the line as a national priority.
The process for land valuation of private property for the Khudi–Dharapani section transmission line is ongoing. This section presents geographical challenges as it traverses difficult terrain.
The project, with an estimated total cost of around NPR 16 billion, is being funded through the Government of Nepal, Nepal Electricity Authority, and concessional loans from the European Investment Bank (EIB).
