The government has cleared the long-standing hurdles for the construction of the Dhalkebar-Hetauda 400 KV transmission line, a project that was stalled for twelve years due to various reasons.
The Council of Ministers, on Wednesday, made a crucial decision that removed the obstacles to building the Dhalkebar-Hetauda 400 KV transmission line. This approval means the project can now use forest areas in the Makwanpur section, which was a major reason for the delay.
Specifically, the Cabinet granted the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) permission to use 2.2 hectares of national forest land. This area falls under the Ratomaate Community Forest Consumers Group in Hetauda-15 and the Saraswati Community Forest Consumers Group in Bakaiya-2, Makwanpur. This approval was given in line with Section 42(1) of the Forest Act, 2076. Along with this, the government also approved to removal of one thousand two hundred and ninety-two trees of different species in that particular area.
According to the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, the project was stuck for a long time because decisions regarding forest area approval, right of way (RoW), and tree cutting were pending. The Dhalkebar-Hetauda-Inaruwa corridor is approximately 300 kilometers long, and a 46-meter wide right of way is needed for a 400 KV high-voltage transmission line, making forest clearance extremely important.
A 220 KV transmission line circuit is already built from Hetauda to Butwal. Once the new 400 KV transmission line become operational, it will make electricity flow easier between the east and west. It will also improve the reliability of the system, reduce frequent power outages and tripping incidents, and make it simpler to export extra electricity to India.
Dirghayu Kumar Shrestha, the acting Executive Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority, shared that once this transmission line is up and running, Nepal’s national transmission system will become much stronger, more balanced, and reliable. He also mentioned that it will allow electricity produced in the east to be sent to the west, and vice versa.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, referred to this project as an ‘Energy Highway’. He stated that it will significantly boost the country’s electricity export capacity, which currently stands at around one thousand megawatts. He added that once the transmission system is fully operational, Nepal will be able to export between 2,500 and 3,000 megawatts of electricity.
AI Disclaimer: This article was originally published on https://bajarkochirfar.com. It has been translated with the help of AI. For the best understanding and accurate facts, we recommend reading the original Nepali version.
