KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 2
Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Shakti Bahadur Basnet, has stated that the government will provide full support for the construction of transmission lines with the grant assistance of the US Project, Millennium Corporation Compact (MCC).
Minister Basnet emphasized the government's commitment to responsibly carry out activities to complete the project within the stipulated deadline, as the 315-km transmission line (Naglebhare-Ratmate-Hetauda-Damauli-New Butwal) is the backbone of Nepal's transmission system.
He made these remarks during a meeting with a delegation led by Chief Executive Officer of MCC, Alice Albright, at the Energy Ministry.
CEO Alice Albright arrived in Nepal on Sunday for a five-day visit to celebrate the successful launch of the MCC-Nepal Compact. Minister Basnet mentioned that the process, including land acquisition required for the construction of transmission lines and substations, has already been initiated.
He emphasized that the government considers the project a matter of national pride and will leave no stone unturned to ensure its smooth implementation, as these transmission lines are crucial for the country's power exports.
Minister Basnet expressed the government's determination to complete the project on time and anticipated significant improvements in economic, social, and gender sectors as a result of its implementation.
CEO Albright emphasized that the MCC project has elevated bilateral relations between Nepal and the US to new heights and expressed her happiness over the smooth implementation of the transmission and road improvement projects through MCA Nepal.
She thanked the government of Nepal for according importance to the project, labeling it as a national pride project, and expressed confidence in receiving crucial support from the Nepalese government for the project's smooth implementation.
Secretary at the Energy Ministry, Dinesh Kumar Ghimire, and MCA Nepal Chief Executive Officer Khadga Bahadur Bista, among others, were also present at the meeting.
The government and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) under the US government signed the Millennium Challenge Compact on September 14, 2017, and the implementation phase began on August 29, 2022.
There is a provision that the transmission lines and road construction projects under the MCC Nepal Compact should be completed within five years after the commencement of construction activities.
