Kathmandu, 12 April 2022. Work on the Garjyang-New Khimti 132 KV (double kV) double circuit transmission line project under construction for the flow of electricity generated from the Khimti and Likhu river reservoir hydropower projects has been hampered.
The landowners who are in charge of the transmission line have obstructed the construction in the urban areas of Those, Dharapani, Betali, Nammadi and Tamakoshi of Dolakha in Gokulganga village of Ramechhap demanding 100 percent compensation.
In some places, landowners and landowners who do not have access to land have not allowed the transmission line to be pulled while demanding compensation. As per the legal provisions, compensation of 20 percent of the assessed amount has been fixed for the land under the right of transmission line.
The length of the transmission line is 32 kilometers, starting from Garjyang of Gokulganga village of Ramechhap and ending at Tamakoshi village of Dolakha and ending at the new Khimti substation at Sankhe (Fulasi) in Manthali Municipality-13 of Ramechhap. The foundations of all 105 towers on the transmission line have been laid. 101 towers have been erected and 20 kilometers of wire has been laid. Construction of 132-33-11 KV substation in Gajrang has reached the final stage. Most of the equipment of transmission line and substation has been brought to the construction site.
Due to lack of infrastructure, the 12 MW Upper Khimti and 7 MW Upper Khimti constructed by Himalayan Energy Development Company could not be connected to the power transmission line of the second hydropower project.
Despite the continuous efforts of the project management, the construction of the transmission line could not be completed as the obstruction could not be removed. The top management of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has taken initiative to open the obstruction in the construction due to lack of transmission line. A team comprising NEA Executive Director Kulman Ghising, Deputy Executive Director of the Broadcasting Directorate Dirghayukumar Shrestha inspected the project construction site and held discussions with the Chief District Officer, Village Chairman and Ward Chairpersons to remove the obstruction.
Executive Director Ghising said that it was painful not to be able to connect electricity due to lack of transmission line. “Due to the lack of transmission line, 19 MW of electricity could not be connected. This is causing loss not only to the investors but also to the country. We are ready to be as flexible as possible in terms of compensation and compensation.
Friendship Engineering, affiliated with the promoters of the Himalayan Energy Development Company, hired subcontractors after the project’s contractor, Pinggao Group Company, China, appeared to be delaying construction. However, the construction of the project has been affected due to the epidemic of Covid-19, problems in bringing construction equipments to the project site on time and obstruction of locals.
The estimated cost of the project is 20 million US dollars with the investment of the Government of Nepal. The construction of the project is targeted to be completed by next June.
Connecting electricity through alternative arrangements
The construction of Garjyang-Naya Khimti 132 double circuit transmission line will be delayed due to the obstruction of locals. It will be connected to Jiri substation through 33 kV transmission line from Garjyang substation.
Electricity will flow from Jiri substation to Maizebari substation at Charikot through Singti substation to the national grid. NEA has already charged 132 ÷ 33 KV, 30 MVA separate power transformer pair at Singti substation for this.
