Completion of 154 km Dhalkebar-Inaruwa Transmission Line Segment Announced

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has announced the completion of the 154 km stretch of the Dhalkebar-Inaruwa transmission line. This 400 kV double-circuit transmission line connects Dhalkebar in Dhanusha to Inaruwa in Sunsari, with 417 towers erected along the segment.

This completed section is part of the broader Hetauda-Dhalkebar-Inaruwa transmission line project under the Nepal-India Electricity Transmission and Trade Project. The transmission lines traverse ten districts, including Makwanpur, Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Mahottari, Dhanusha, Siraha, Saptari, Udayapur, and Sunsari, covering hill areas, the Siwalik-Chure range, and the Terai regions.

Construction is ongoing for the remaining 134 km Hetauda-Dhalkebar segment, with 45 km of wiring completed to date. NEA Managing Director Kulman Ghising stated that the new infrastructure would enhance the quality of electricity supply and bolster Nepal's cross-border electricity trade capabilities.

Currently, the existing Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur transmission lines can transmit up to 800 MW of electricity to India. Upon completion of the Hetauda-Dhalkebar-Inaruwa connection, the capacity will increase to 4,000 MW.

Initiated a decade ago with an initial target of 30 months for completion, the project has faced delays due to various challenges. These include local demands for alignment changes, interim orders from the Supreme Court, procedural complexities related to forest areas, land use and tree felling approvals, and contractor performance issues.

The Nepal-India Electricity Transmission and Trade Project is a collaborative effort between the government and the NEA, with the World Bank providing concessional loans. The total estimated cost of the project is US $170 million.