Energy Ministry coordinates to clear obstructions in 12 under-construction transmission lines

The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation has begun coordination to remove obstructions affecting 12 under-construction transmission line projects.

At a briefing at the ministry on Thursday, project chiefs raised two grievances before Energy Minister Birajbhakta Shrestha. They said the Forest Department has been obstructing tree felling, and the Department of Roads has not been giving sufficient time to relocate poles and towers.

The meeting reviewed progress on projects including the Tumlingtar-Sitalpati 220 kV, Hetauda-Dhalkebar 400 kV, Dhalkebar-Banganga, Kohalpur-Surkhet-Dailekh, Nepalgunj-Nanpara, Lalbandi-Salimpur, Inaruwa-Biratnagar and Kaligandaki-Ridi 132 kV lines.

Nepal Electricity Authority board member Anshukiran Shahi said the project chiefs were called to assess the actual status of the under-construction lines in order to strengthen the national transmission system.

According to Navaraj Ojha, head of the authority's Distribution and Customer Service Directorate, project chiefs reported that despite the obstructions, all 12 projects would be completed within this year. On the Inaruwa-Biratnagar line, however, the contractor has reportedly not resumed work even after the deadline was extended.