Kathmandu: The government has accelerated the construction of transmission lines and substations in Madhesh Province to address growing electricity demand, weak distribution infrastructure, and supply challenges in the industrial sector.
The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation has moved ahead with the expansion of strategic transmission infrastructure in Madhesh to meet both current electricity demand and the additional demand expected from industries, businesses, and household consumers in the coming years.
The completion of new transmission lines and substations is expected to improve electricity quality and supply reliability in Madhesh Province while providing the energy infrastructure needed for industrial expansion. The ministry has been conducting regular monitoring, coordination, and facilitation to ensure that projects under construction are completed on schedule.
Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha said transmission line and substation projects aimed at addressing electricity demand in Madhesh Province have reached important stages of construction.
According to him, around 24 kilometers of the double-circuit 132 kV transmission line under the Dhalkebar–Balganga 132 kV Transmission Line and Substation Project has already been successfully charged under no-load conditions. Construction and equipment installation works at the Balganga Substation are also progressing rapidly.
Minister Shrestha said work is underway with the target of bringing the project into operation before Dashain. Once operational, the project is expected to strengthen the distribution system in Mujelia, Yadukaha, Dhanushadham, Birendra Bazaar, Lohana and Nagarain, as well as across Dhanusha district.
The estimated cost of the Dhalkebar–Balganga 132 kV Transmission Line and Substation Project is around Rs 2.136 billion. The project includes approximately 24 kilometers of double-circuit 132 kV transmission line and a 63 MVA, 132/33 kV substation in Hansapur Municipality–9.
The transmission line, which will originate from Tower No. 30 of the Dhalkebar–Loharpatti 132 kV line, will be connected to the Balganga Substation. The transmission line was charged under no-load conditions in July. Most of the major equipment and the power transformer for the Balganga Substation have already arrived at the project site. Civil construction has reached its final stage, while equipment installation is underway. Construction of the control room and staff residential building is also nearing completion.
Infrastructure to Meet Growing East-West Electricity Demand
The growing load on 33 kV and 11 kV distribution lines has emerged as a major challenge for Madhesh Province’s electricity system. In particular, rising electricity demand in rural and industrial areas of Siraha and Saptari is putting pressure on the existing distribution infrastructure, making it difficult to accommodate future demand.
To address this issue, the Lahan–Sukhipur 132 kV Transmission Line Project has been initiated. Around 17 kilometers of double-circuit transmission line will be constructed from the existing Lahan Substation to the proposed 132/33/11 kV substation at Sukhipur.
The Sukhipur Substation will have two 63 MVA transformers and one 24 MVA transformer. Two 132 kV line bays will also be added at the Lahan Substation.
The project has an estimated cost of around Rs 1.53 billion. Its feasibility and environmental studies have already been completed. The boundary wall of the Sukhipur Substation has been constructed, and the construction permit has also been obtained.
Land acquisition required for construction of the transmission line towers is in its final stage. The contractor has already started work with a target of completing, testing, and commissioning the transmission line within 24 months. The remaining land acquisition is targeted for completion by Bhadra.
Transmission Infrastructure Expansion in Saptari
The Rupani–Bodebarsain 132 kV Transmission Line Project has been advanced in Saptari in view of growing electricity demand and the district’s industrial potential.
According to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), preparations are underway to construct around 18 kilometers of double-circuit transmission line and establish a new 132/33/11 kV substation at Bodebarsain.
The proposed substation will have two 30 MVA transformers and one 24 MVA transformer. Two 132 kV line bays will be added at the Rupani Substation.
The project is expected to improve electricity supply in central and southeastern areas of Saptari and facilitate the integration of additional power generation into the system in the future.
The estimated cost of the project is around Rs 1.56 billion. Studies have been completed, while construction of the substation boundary wall and acquisition of the construction permit have also been completed. The cost estimate for the transmission line has been approved, and the process of preparing tender documents has begun, according to the NEA.
Improvements in Central and Southern Rautahat
In Rautahat, work is underway to increase transmission capacity in the central and southern areas through the Chandrapur–Sukhdev Chowk 132 kV Transmission Line Project.
Around 37 kilometers of double-circuit transmission line will be constructed from the existing substation at Chandranigahapur to the proposed substation at Saruatha in Yamunamai Rural Municipality–4.
A 132/33/11 kV substation will be constructed at Saruatha, with plans to install two 63 MVA, 132/33 kV transformers and two 24 MVA, 33/11 kV transformers.
The transmission line will help provide more reliable electricity supply to distribution centers serving Gaur, Manpur, Simraungadh and Maulapur.
Around seven kilometers of the transmission line will pass through national forest areas, so approval for the forest area and land acquisition for the towers are underway. Most pre-construction activities, including detailed feasibility and environmental studies, land acquisition for the substation, and construction of the boundary wall and security building, have already been completed.
The check survey, tower profiling, pegging, pit marking and cadastral mapping work for the transmission line has also been completed.
A construction agreement for the Chandrapur–Saruatha transmission line was signed with the contractor in July. The project has a contract value of around Rs 938.24 million and a construction period of 30 months. The procurement process for the Saruatha Substation is also underway.
High-Capacity Transmission Line for Bara–Parsa Industrial Areas
As electricity demand continues to rise rapidly in the Bara–Parsa area, which has developed as an industrial corridor, the Hetauda–Parwanipur–Pokhariya 132 kV Transmission Line Project has also been advanced as an important infrastructure project.
The major components of the project include construction of a 21.21-kilometer, 132 kV four-circuit transmission line from Parwanipur to Pokhariya, construction of a new 132/33/11 kV substation at Pokhariya, and bay expansion at the Parwanipur Substation.
Earlier, reconductoring of the 17-kilometer 132 kV double-circuit Piluwa (Pathlaiya)–Parwanipur line using high-temperature low-sag conductors had already been completed.
At the Pokhariya Substation, construction of the control room, staff quarters, store, guard house, and foundations for equipment and transformers is underway. The design of the four-circuit towers has been approved, while the revised Initial Environmental Examination has also been approved.
The tendering process has been completed and a construction agreement has been signed with a Chinese company. The NEA said the project is targeted for completion by September 2027.
Once these transmission lines and substations are completed, the electricity supply infrastructure in Madhesh Province is expected to become significantly stronger. The projects will particularly help manage rising electricity demand in Dhanusha, Siraha, Saptari, Rautahat and the industrial areas of Bara–Parsa.
The government has emphasized developing transmission infrastructure capable of meeting future demand rather than waiting for demand to rise before expanding infrastructure. This is expected to support the development of energy infrastructure required for greater industrial investment, increased production and job creation.
Nepalpurbadhar