KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 12
The government has provided assurance that the planned substation in Bojini, situated in Shankharapur Municipality-3 of Kathmandu, will cater to the legitimate demands of the affected areas.
In a recent discussion with stakeholders, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Shakti Bahadur Basnet pledged to address the concerns of local residents and urged them to permit the construction of the substation.
Minister Basnet emphasised the importance of timely construction of the substation for electricity supply to Kathmandu valley and stressed that any delays would exacerbate the problem.
Furthermore, he stated that the government and the project developer would expedite development and construction activities at the local level.
Minister Basnet pointed out the current electricity supply situation in Kathmandu valley, emphasising the need to acknowledge its seriousness. He has called for the creation of an enabling environment that supports the project's progress.
Minister Basnet also assured that the government will exert maximum efforts to minimise the impact of the project on the local community.
Dinesh Kumar Ghimire, secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, sought understanding of the current constraints and urged creating a conducive environment for the smooth progress of the project. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to fully address the demands raised by local residents.
The project involves the construction of a 400-220-132-11 kV substation in Lapsiphedi, aimed at bringing electricity from hydroelectric projects on the Tamakoshi and Sunkoshi rivers and their tributaries to the Kathmandu valley along with supplying it locally.
Additionally, a 400 kV transmission line connecting New Khimti in Ramechhap to Lapsiphedi is nearing completion, and a 132 kV transmission line and substation from Lapsiphedi to Changunarayan in Bhaktapur are currently under construction. The Changunarayan substation with a 132 kV capacity is in the final stages of completion.
A public notice was issued in June 2017 for the acquisition of 172 ropanis of land for the substation involving 50 landowners, and compensation amount was determined in January of the same year. Except for one landowner, all have willingly accepted the compensation, with approximately Rs 500 million being distributed for this purpose.
The substations and transmission lines are being constructed with subsidised loans obtained through the 'Electricity Transmission Expansion and System Improvement Project' facilitated by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
A version of this article appears in the print on September 13, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
