The 132 kv Singati-Lamosanghu transmission line is yet to be constructed eight years after the contract was signed for the same.
As the project has been left in the lurch, a significant amount of power generated from different hydropower projects has gone to waste. At the same the same time, those who have invested in hydropower projects have incurred losses amounting to tens of millions of rupees over the past five years.
The contractor Indian company Arawali Infra Power has been delaying construction of the transmission line citing its poor financial health.
Eight years ago, the company had committed to complete the project in a period of two years. The contract has been renewed four times till date.
Nepal Electricity Authority has renewed the contract with the same contractor to avoid the procedure involved in selecting a new contractor. Meanwhile, NEA has claimed that 40 per cent of the project work has been completed so far.
As per the contract, the 40km line extension will have 125 pylons from Singati in Dolakha to Lamosanghu in Sindhupalchowk.
“So far, the foundation of 40 pylons have been laid,” said project Chief Rajan Dhungel. “The foundation of the remaining pylons will be completed by July and other related works will be completed within one year,” he said, adding that there will be two sub-stations built at Singati and Lamosanghu.
Source : The Himalayan Times.
