KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 15
Residents of Sarlahi's Lalbandi area are obstructing the upgradation of 132 kV double circuit transmission line since October 6.
They have been hindering the construction of transmission line seeking compensation for the land beneath its right of way constructed around 41 years ago, and seeking the option to mortgage the land.
The Nepal Electricity Authority has been attempting to upgrade its transmission system by replacing outdated, low-capacity wires with new ones along the 136-km stretch from Hetauda in Makwanpur to Dhalkebar substation in Dhanusha, thereby increasing the power flow and capacity of the East-West 132 kV double circuit transmission line. This upgradation will bolster electricity supply in the region, facilitate the transfer of electricity from the western to eastern areas, streamline the electricity flow from Dhalkebar to the west, and enable surplus electricity to be exported to India via the Dhalkebar substation.
Approximately 36 km of one circuit's wire on the 40-km line between Dhalkebar substation and Nawalpur substation in Sarlahi's Lalbandi Municipality-1 has been successfully replaced, but due to local obstruction in the Lalbandi market area, the replacement of around four kilometres of wire has been halted. As a result, the old wire connected to the tower has been temporarily tied. This interruption in operation of one circuit is causing issues in transmitting electricity from Dhalkebar to the west and from Hetauda to the east, ultimately impacting the entire national electricity transmission system.
Kulman Ghising, managing director of the authority, expressed concerns about the challenges faced in replacing conductors within more than four-decade -old transmission line, leading to issues like tripping when capacity isn't met.
He emphasised the importance of uninterrupted work to avoid potential winter load-shedding in areas like Birgunj.
Likewise, the Project Head Rajendra Koirala mentioned ongoing discussions with local authorities and residents but noted that no consensus has been reached.
The conductor upgradation work is being divided into sections, with progress made in the first two sections.
The project's goal is to complete the upgradation by December 2024, as per a contract agreement implemented on July 22, 2022.
A version of this article appears in the print on October 16, 2023, of The Himalayan Times
