KATHMANDU, MARCH 20
The construction of Mainahiya-Sampatiya 132 KV transmission line deemed important for the exchange of electricity between Nepal and India has gained momentum.
The double circuit transmission line linking Mainahiya in Rupandehi district of Nepal with Sampatiya (New Nautanahawa) in Uttar Pradesh (UP) State of India has achieved 60 per cent progress in construction work, according to Nepal Electricity Authority. A target has been set to complete this project within mid-July, 2023. Foundation has been laid for 44 out of 96 towers that will be erected across the 28-km transmission line. Similarly, five towers have already been installed.
A team comprising secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Devendra Karki, board members of the NEA, executive chairperson, among others, had recently overseen the project work and instructed the authorities concerned for the timely completion of the project. Stating that the transmission line was crucial for exchange of energy between Nepal and India, the team urged the project management to complete the project within the deadline.
The 6th meeting of Nepal-India Energy Secretary-Level Joint Steering Committee in Pokhara on 24 January 2019 had agreed to proceed with the implementation of cross-border 132 KV transmission lines between UP of India and Nepal.
According to NEA Executive Director Kulman Ghising, the Mainahiya-Sampatiya transmission line is being constructed to facilitate cross-border energy trade. He said, Uttar Pradesh had 33 KV transmission line structures.
He said the surplus electricity could be exported to UP while electricity could be imported to Nepal in the time of need. "That's why this transmission line is important for facilitation of cross-border electricity trade between the two countries."
A version of this article appears in the print on March 21, 2022, of The Himalayan Times
