Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: Construction of Hetauda-Dhalkebar-Duhabi 400 kV transmission line, a project of national importance, has been accelerated again. According to the Ministry, the project which was stalled for long due to the land dispute and compensation has been revived after the initiation of Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha.

Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has said that the construction of towers has moved ahead after Minister Shrestha accepted the compensation from the landowners following continuous coordination with the affected locals, people’s representatives and stakeholders. The construction of towers at Hatiya area of Hetauda under the transmission line that started in 2012 was halted.

Of the total length of the project, the 154 kilometres Dhalkebar-Inaruwa section of the project came into operation three years ago. However, the 134-km Hetauda-Dhalkebar section was delayed due to disputes over compensation.

According to NEA, out of 14 towers to be constructed in Hetauda, construction of three towers has been completed and erection of two towers is underway. The foundation construction of all the towers has been completed and the remaining structures have reached the final stage.

NEA Acting Managing Director Dirghayu Kumar Shrestha informed that the process of compensation and compensation distribution has been carried out in parallel with the construction of the tower. Pledging to provide appropriate compensation to the affected people as per the law, he said compensation would be distributed to all the identified ones once the stringing of the wires begins.

According to Shrestha, if the transmission line is not brought into operation within the current fiscal year, around 800 MW of electricity generated during the rainy season will be wasted. He said that this could cause an economic loss of billions of rupees to the country.

The NRA has set a target to complete the construction of remaining two towers once it gets clearance for cutting down trees and using the remaining land. The completion of the project is expected to further strengthen the country’s internal power supply, increase the reliability of the national grid and contribute significantly in expanding electricity trade with neighbouring countries.