Dolpa. Dolpa: A significant progress has been made towards resolving the problem of poor and unreliable power supply persisting in Dolpa for long.

The 51-kilometer-long 33 kV transmission line from Kudu substation in Nalgad Municipality-12 to the substation in Tripurasundari Municipality-1 of Tripurakot has been successfully charged.

The project was constructed by Mashakti Engineering Pvt Ltd, which was signed on November 22, 2022. The project was constructed at the cost of around Rs 127.7 million by installing 955 electric poles. The transmission line was expanded through risky areas on both sides of Bheri River and through Kala Patthar.

Prior to this, electricity from Kudu (Udu) substation of Jajarkot was being supplied through 11 kV transmission which caused problems of low voltage, frequent power outages and difficulty in providing quality service. The foundation for stable, reliable and quality power supply has been prepared with the operation of the new 33 KV transmission line in Dolpa.

Although the transmission line has been charged, the 33 KV substation of Dolpa is yet to come into operation. Chief of Dolpa distribution center, Shreejesh Prasad Sah, said that the substation had to be sent back to Nepalgunj after some technical materials for charging the substation did not match. The transportation of essential goods has been affected due to the flood in the Kanchi River in Jajarkot. He said that the substation will be charged and regular distribution will be started after the materials reach Dolpa.

Located under the Karnali Provincial Office of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Surkhet, the completion of the project is expected to make electricity supply more reliable in Dolpa. The 33 KV transmission line will also supply the necessary construction-time power to the Jagdulla Hydropower Project.

According to Ganesh Kharel, proprietor of Mashakti Engineering Pvt Ltd, although the construction was challenging due to its remote terrain, bank of Bheri River and rocky area, they were able to charge the transmission line as per the target.

The operation of the substation is expected to provide relief to households, government offices, health institutions, schools, and business areas of Dolpa.