Baglung. The construction work of the 132 KV Burtibang substation, which was supposed to come into operation a year ago, has not been completed yet. Locals of Badigad rural municipality-5 in Baglung blocked the pulling of the central transmission line.

More than 90 per cent of the work of the substation, which started six years ago, has been completed so far. The project was halted after locals filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court seeking to stop the construction of the tower for the past one year. The Supreme Court had dismissed the writ petition on June 27 last year. Project chief Manoj Chaudhary said that although the construction of the tower has been completed, the work of pulling the wire has been obstructed.

The project was started from Motipur of Kapilvastu to connect the hilly districts with the central transmission line. The construction of the 132 KV substation connecting Sandhikharka of Arghakhanchi, Tamghas of Gulmi and Burtibang via Paundi Amrai was started in 2078 BS. A substation has been constructed at Khaltubot of Dhorpatan municipality-2.

Chief Chaudhary said that although the work of the substation has been completed, the project could not be completed on time due to the pending work of pulling the line. He said that if the locals did not obstruct the work, the electricity would come into operation by mid-July last year.

Chaudhary said that the line from Motipur to Sandhikharka was operated after conducting a trial run on April 15, 2018, while the substation of Tamghas in Gulmi came into operation from June 17 last year. According to him, 18 kilometers of wire is yet to be pulled from Paundi Amrai to Burtibang for the operation of Burtibang substation.

MudbharirJoshirgaura JV had taken over the construction of the substation six years ago at a cost of Rs 400 million, while Sikmacon and MSPIL JV were given the responsibility for the expansion of the line at a cost of around Rs 830 million. Burtibang is 86 kilometers away from Kapilvastu. Here the double circuit wire will be expanded.

“We had completed the work last year and worked to provide electricity service, all the works were completed and only 18 kilometers of line is left to be pulled,” said Project Chief Chaudhary. ’

Chaudhary said that the deadline for the completion of the project expired on February 12 last year and the construction company could not carry out the work as the obstruction was not removed. Chief District Officer Kuman Singh Gurung shared that a taskforce has been formed to provide compensation to the locals affected by the transmission line. He said the problem would be resolved once the locals get compensation. Gurung said that the work will move forward after the task force submits its report and distributes the compensation.