Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, January 18:

Citing disturbances and limited overhead spaces as reasons in core city areas, the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is laying underground high voltage lines from one substation to another. For the first time, the NEA is laying down 66 KV double circuit line from the existing Teku substation to the Singhadurbar substation, which is under construction, with support from the Japanese government.

To lay the 3.5 km-long underground line installation will be three times more expensive than overhead lines. The NEA picked up the dearer option due to increasing space constraints in the core areas of Kathmandu including Putalisadak, Dillibazaar, Singhadurbar, Anamnagar and parts of Baneswor. The pipe with the high voltage wires is placed some 1.8 metres below the surface of roads, while the drain pipes are at 1-1.2 metres below surface, and drinking water pipes some 0.7-1 metres below the surface. Project engineer Prakash Bhusan Pradhan confirmed that almost 90 per cent of the underground works has been completed with installation works for the substation underway. He said feeder lines to respective transformers would also be connected through underground means at core areas.

The total cost of the Japan government’s grant project amounts to Rs 88 crores. The contractors are Consortium of Sumitomo Corporation and Kinden Corporation Japan (CSKJ), while JB Constructions is a sub-contractor for civil works with Nippon Koi Company as consultant. The installation works that began in June 2004 is expected to be completed by 15 March, 2005.