Kathmandu: The 33/11 kV Musikot substation constructed in Dhairenichaur, Musikot Municipality-3 of Rukum West has come into operation.

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Pampha Bhusal and Finance Minister Janardan Sharma jointly inaugurated the substation amid a function held in Musikot on Monday. The substation will supply electricity to Rukum West, Rukum East and some places in Jajarkot.

"Electricity is a basic tool for economic revolution. Its use should be extended to households and industries to make the economy self-reliant, as well as to build quality infrastructure and develop it qualitatively," said Minister Bhusal.

NEA Managing Director Kulman Ghising said that the substation has been brought into operation by taking electricity from the Salyan Sittalpati substation through an 80 km long 33 kV line. The substation has a 3 MVA capacity power transformer.

With the operation of the substation, there has been a significant improvement in the voltage of electricity in Rukum, regularity in the line and reduction in technical leakage.

Arrangements have been made to supply electricity to the entire district from the Kudu substation of Jajarkot. Due to this, even in case of power outage in Salyan or Tulsipur of Dang, lights can be lit in Rukum West and East. Feeders are being constructed for power supply from the substation. At present, electricity is being supplied to the entire district from only one feeder. The power supply in the area will be further improved after the remaining feeders come into operation.

Electricity produced by the 5 MW Rukumgad Hydropower Project being constructed by the private sector in Rukum East will be connected to this Musikot substation. The construction of the substation was started from 2072, however, the site that was initially proposed for construction was prone to landslides and a new location had to be identified which delayed the completion of the project. A contract worth Rs 88.8 million was signed with Waiba Infratech Pvt Ltd for the construction of the substation.

Electricity has reached all the three municipalities and three villages in Rukum West. However, electricity has not reached all wards. Out of the 73 wards in the district, electricity has reached 52 wards. 70 percent electrification has been done from the national transmission line. The overall electrification of Rukum West, including that by the local micro hydro power projects, is 85 percent.