Kathmandu: The construction work of the new Bharatpur 220/132 KV (KV) substation at Aaptari of Bharatpur Metropolitan City-11, Chitwan is about 80 percent completed.

At present, work is underway to complete the construction of the substation within two months and bring it into operation. The work on the main civil structure of the substation under construction under the Marsyangdi Corridor 220 KV transmission line project is in the final stage. Most of the equipment of the substation based on Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) technology has been brought to the construction site. All that remains now is to connect those devices.

Similarly, the substation will have two power transformers of 160/160 MVA capacity. The civil structure for power transformers has been constructed and the transformers are yet to be connected.

Discussing the project management and construction progress with the contractor company, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Managing Director Kulman Ghising has requested to complete the work within two months.

A contract agreement was signed with Indian company L&T about two years ago for the construction of substations at New Bharatpur and Udipur, Lamjung under the project. The 140 MW Tanahun Hydropower Project under construction in Tanahun will also be connected to the new Bharatpur substation.

The estimated cost of the project under construction is around Rs 16 billion with the investment of Government of Nepal and concessional loan from European Investment Bank (EIB).