Banking News – The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation has begun coordination to remove obstructions seen in the construction work of transmission lines under construction across the country. Minister for Energy Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has taken the initiative to remove obstacles that have arisen in completing the construction of transmission lines on time, with the objective of strengthening the national transmission line, which serves as the main foundation of the energy system.

The ministry on Thursday summoned the heads of 12 transmission line projects under construction for a briefing. Project heads briefed that the Forest Department had obstructed tree felling during transmission line expansion, and that the Road Department had not provided adequate time to relocate poles and towers.

“We summoned the heads of 12 transmission line projects to the ministry and obtained information about the actual situation regarding the status of under-construction transmission lines and how to immediately make the transmission lines well-managed,” said Anshukiran Shahi, Member of the Board of Directors of Nepal Electricity Authority. According to him, project heads pointed out problems arising from the Forest Department and Road Department and informed that construction work has gained momentum after the ministry coordinated with other ministries for solutions.

According to Nabaraj Ojha, Head of the Distribution and Customer Service Directorate of Nepal Electricity Authority, information was received at the briefing that construction work of all 12 projects will be completed within this year. According to him, project heads of the Tumlingtar Sitalpati 220 kV, Dhalkebar Banganga 132 kV, Kohalpur Surkhet Dailekh 132 kV, Nepalgunj Nanpara 132 kV, Lalbandi Salimpur 132 kV, Inaruwa Biratnagar 132 kV, Hetauda Dhalkebar 400 kV, and Kaligandaki Ridhi 132 kV projects presented progress of construction at the discussion.

In the Inaruwa-Biratnagar transmission line, after the contractor did not work even after the deadline extension, coordination has been made to pay the petty contractor fully and complete the work within three months. It was informed that the forest problem of the Hetauda-Dhalkebar 400 kV has been resolved and it will be completed by the upcoming Kartik.

“At minimum, the transmission lines will be connected to the main grid within six months and at maximum within one year. This will resolve the tripping (frequent power outages) problems in those areas,” said Anil Kumar Adhikari, Chief Advisor to the Energy Minister.

Minister Shrestha expressed commitment to immediately resolve problems under inter-ministerial jurisdiction through coordination. Stating that transmission lines are the main foundation of the energy system, he directed project heads to complete the work on time. He requested that any problems that arise during construction work be immediately reported and clarified that the ministry is ready to resolve them.