Kathmandu. The government has made a provision to divide the land under the electric transmission line.

According to the third amendment to the Land Use Regulations-2079, the right of way of transmission line will be in the name of the concerned landowner.

The provision has been published in the Gazette on November 27 and has already come into effect.

According to the new provision, land below the transmission line can be divided but the safety standards will remain the same. However, construction of houses, plantation of tall trees and carrying out risky activities is not allowed in the area of the land that lies on the right of way of the transmission line.

Right of way is defined as the area within a certain distance from the centre of the line to both right and left sides in the course of construction and operation of transmission line keeping in mind the safe operation, maintenance and public safety. The width of the right-of-way is determined on the basis of voltage level of transmission line, tower height, sagging condition of wires and technical standards.

There will be a 46-metre right-of-way (9-9 metres on both sides) from the centre of the transmission line, 15÷15 metres for 220 kV transmission line and 23 metres each for 400 kV.

While constructing the transmission line, the land where the tower pads will be located is acquired by paying compensation. That is, the ownership of the land remains in the name of the project. However, in the Right of Way, a certain percentage of compensation is given so that the ownership of the land remains in the name of the concerned landowner. Currently, the government has been providing compensation up to 10-25 percent of the assessed amount of the land that falls under the right of way.

Provision has been made so that the ownership of the land will remain in the name of the concerned landowner if the decision of land acquisition from the concerned project and the compensation has been provided in writing.

“If the concerned landowner receives a decision to acquire the land from the concerned project as per the prevailing law and provide compensation for the right-of-way area of the electric transmission line lying on such land, the land can be divided in such a way that the ownership of the land will remain in the name of the concerned landowner,” reads the Land Use Regulation.

The landowners have been facing financial and social problems due to the lack of land plots, transfer of land and mortgage to banks and financial institutions. Now, the land can be divided into right-of-way, which will make the land business easier and the landowners will be able to use their property legally.