Kathmandu: The construction of the Solu Corridor 132 kV Double Circuit Transmission Line Project has been completed.

The construction of the project was completed on Saturday after the work of erecting the tower and laying wires was completed on Saturday. The length of the transmission line from Mirchaiya of Siraha to Tila of Solukhumbu via Udayapur and Okhaldhunga is 90 kilometers and the number of towers is 302.

Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Managing Director Kulman Ghising said that the transmission line, which was stalled due to various problems, would be charged and brought into operation within a month. "The construction of the transmission line was obstructed by the locals. The work was halted despite an interim order from the court. The construction has been completed due to the continuous efforts and unwavering assignment of the NEA and the project staff," Ghising said. "After the transmission line is charged, on the one hand, electricity from private sector projects under construction in the area will be connected to the national grid, on the other hand, power supply in the area will be reliable and of quality and also power leakage will be reduced."

The construction of 132/33 kV and 33/11 kV substations at Tila in Solukhumbu has been completed and has been charged. Along with this, electricity is being supplied to the area by taking electricity from Lahan of Siraha and now the electricity generated from the Solu River will be used for local consumption.

The Solu Corridor transmission line is being constructed to distribute the electricity generated from the Solukhumbu and surrounding hydropower projects in Solukhumbu, Okhaldhunga and Udayapur and connect it to the remaining national grid. Project Chief Janardan Gautam said that there were many problems and obstacles in the construction of the Solu Corridor transmission line project. He mentioned that the project has been completed with the help of all.

The 23.5 MW Solu Khola Hydropower Project will be connected after the transmission line comes into operation. NEA has entered into a power purchase agreement (PPA) of 325 MW with 12 hydropower projects in the area after the construction of this transmission line.

The project was delayed for almost two years due to a dispute over the selection of contractors. A contract agreement was signed with the Indian company Mohan Energy in April 2016 for the construction of the transmission line.