Kathmandu: Construction of Marsyangdi-Kathmandu 220 kV double circuit transmission line has been completed.

The project was constructed to bring the electricity generated from the hydropower projects of the Marsyangdi River basin area to the Kathmandu Valley.

The 82-kilometer transmission line from Marki Chowk of Anbukhairani Rural Municipality of Tanahun to Matatirtha of Kathmandu has been brought into operation by charging 132 kV line from Thursday, said Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

Managing Director of NEA Kul Man Ghising said that a reliable transmission network was prepared for additional power supply in the Kathmandu Valley after the construction of the transmission line.

The current Marsyangdi-Syuchatar was only 132 kV single circuit which could not supply more than 100 MW of electricity.

With the Marsyangdi-Kathmandu 132 kV line coming into operation, up to 200 MW of electricity can now be supplied in the Kathmandu Valley, said Ghising.

“As there is only 132 kV single circuit between Bharatpur-Hetauda, there was a problem in power supply. When Kulekhani is not running, electricity can be supplied through Marsyangdi-Kathmandu transmission line to Hetauda via Kathmandu and from Hetauda to Kathmandu. This line is the lifeline for electricity flow in the Kathmandu Valley,” he said.

A contract agreement was signed with the Indian company Tata Project for the construction of the Marsyangdi-Kathmandu transmission line on 30 June 2016 at a cost of USD 1.3 million.

There are 233 towers in the transmission line in Tanahun, Gorkha, Chitwan, Dhading and Kathmandu districts.

The construction was delayed due to obstructions from locals at various places along the route of the transmission line.

Project Chief Laxman Phunyal said that the construction was affected due to obstruction of locals at Pipaltar in Siddhalek Rural Municipality-7 of Dhading district for a long time.

Under the project, substations of 220/132/33 kV and 320 MVA capacities are under construction at Matatirtha of Kathmandu and Marki Chowk of Tanahun.