Kathmandu: The construction of the Hetauda-Dhalkebar-Inaruwa 400 KV double circuit transmission line which started eight years ago has not been completed yet due to various obstructions.

The construction has been delayed due to locals’ obstruction demanding better performance of the contractor, change of route as well as procedural hurdles of approval of use of forest land. The transmission line will start from the Hetauda Sub-metropolis-11 substation of Makwanpur and connect to Bhokraha Narasimha Rural Municipality-4 of Sunsari and will cross 10 districts.

As this transmission line has not been completed, the power of the 456 MW Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower project could not be sent to the west from the Dhalkebar substation. At present, there is only a 132 KV transmission line from Dhalkebar to the west.

A team of Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Kulman Ghising, Broadcasting Directorate Chief Dirghayu Kumar Shrestha and Project Chief Shyam Yadav visited the site a few days ago. They held discussions with and requested the affected locals to help in the construction of the transmission line of national importance.

“Let's discuss the issue of compensation and resolve the dispute rather than escalating it. The transmission line is important as it will manage the supply of electricity to the west,” Ghising said.

Ram Krishna Koirala, ward chairperson of Ward 16 of Hetauda, said, “We are not against development. However, the current path is not practical. The line should be taken from the forest area which does not even require compensation," Koirala said. “We are ready to provide the necessary assistance to resolve the problem.”

Locals have also obstructed the construction of the transmission lines in Jiyajor of Lalbandi Municipality of Sarlahi and Lahan Padaria of Siraha. The Hetauda-Dhalkebar-Inaruwa 440 kV transmission line is close and almost parallel to the existing 132 KV transmission line and the East-West Highway.