RASUWA, JAN 05 –
Nepal Electricity Authority’s ( NEA ) failure to acquire land has hampered the transmission line expansion plan for the 60-MW Upper Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project.
Although the NEA signed a contract with China International Water and Electric Corporation on February 26, 2012, for the construction of the 220-KV transmission line, the work is yet to begin.
The proposed 46-km transmission line connects Pairey Beshi, Manakamana of Nuwakot and Mata Tirtha in Kathmandu. Acting project head Uttam Amatya said they have not been able to conduct foundation test of the land. As a result, the contractor has also been idle.
As the future of the project itself has remained uncertain over the confusion on whether to increase the capacity of the project to 90 MW. The delay in the construction of the feeder road and several demands from locals are other factors affecting the project.
If the transmission line is not constructed in time, it will also affect other under-construction projects, including Sanjen, Upper Sanjen and Rasuwagadhi. These projects have planned to connect the generated power to the hub of Trishuli B to be constructed below the Upper Trishuli 3A project. The transmission line is being constructed with an investment of Rs 2 billion.
“Electric indicators have remained idle at NEA ’s Debighat office,” said an NEA official of the Chinese contractor. Although the NEA has been maintaining the land pooling process has slowed down only at places with thicker settlements (Dhading and Nuwakot), it has not been able to acquire land at many other places.
Meanwhile, China Gezhouba Group Co, contractor for civil and hydro mechanical work for the project, is planning to ask for compensation for not being able to work due to the government’s failure to clear hurdles, an official said.
Around 35 percent work on power house and dam has been completed so far.
Source : The Kathmandu Post
