Kathmandu, 6, October 2026,— Construction of the Matatirtha–Chobhar section of the Thankot–Chapagaun–Bhaktapur 132 kV Transmission Line Project, considered crucial to strengthening the electricity supply system in Kathmandu Valley, has been completed.
The approximately six-kilometer-long 132 kV transmission line from Matatirtha Substation to Chobhar Substation in Kathmandu is scheduled to be energized on Friday. Once energized, the Matatirtha–Chobhar section will be connected to the national transmission grid and begin regular power transmission.
Dirghayu Kumar Shrestha, managing director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), said the operation of the Matatirtha–Chobhar transmission line and Chobhar Substation would make it easier to balance electricity demand and supply in Kathmandu Valley and surrounding areas.
Managing Director Shrestha also said construction of the approximately 4.5-kilometer-long 132 kV underground transmission line from Chobhar Substation to Patan was being advanced as a high priority.
The NEA had decided on 24, September 2026, to energize the Matatirtha–Chobhar transmission line within 15 days to manage Kathmandu Valley’s growing electricity demand during the upcoming winter season. As part of the infrastructure required to energize the line, two bays have been constructed at Chobhar Substation.
The Thankot–Chapagaun–Bhaktapur Transmission Line Project was launched to establish a 132 kV transmission line ring network covering Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts, with the aim of ensuring an adequate, safe, reliable and quality electricity supply throughout Kathmandu Valley. However, construction of the transmission line was disrupted by local obstructions in Khokana, Bungamati, Harisiddhi and Lamatar in Lalitpur. As an alternative, construction of a 132/11 kV substation at Chobhar was initiated.
Chobhar Substation has nine 11 kV feeders for local electricity distribution. The substation will supply electricity to areas including Kirtipur, Pharping, Pulchowk and Ekantakuna. Its operation is expected to improve voltage levels in these areas and make the electricity supply system more reliable and efficient.
Electricity generated by hydropower projects located mainly in the Trishuli and Marsyangdi river basins has been supplied to Kathmandu Valley through Matatirtha Substation. The operation of the 132 kV transmission line between Matatirtha and Chobhar will provide an additional alternative route for supplying electricity to the valley.
Construction is underway on an approximately 4.5-kilometer-long 132 kV underground transmission line from Chobhar Substation, via the Ring Road, to Lagankhel (Patan) Substation in Lalitpur. Work is also progressing to upgrade Patan Substation so that it can operate at the 132 kV level.
The Thankot–Chapagaun–Bhaktapur 132 kV Transmission Line Project was initiated in fiscal year 1998/99, with investment from the Government of Nepal and the NEA. Construction of the transmission line sections in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur has been completed. The section extending to Chobhar on the Kathmandu side is now set to be energized.
In Lalitpur, however, construction of the remaining section has been unable to proceed because residents of Khokana, Bungamati, Harisiddhi and Lamatar have obstructed the work, demanding a change in the transmission line route. As a result, efforts to operate Kathmandu Valley’s 132 kV transmission system as a complete ring network have continued to be hampered.
