Kathmandu: The Bharatpur-Bardaghat 220 kV transmission line that extends from Bharatpur, Chitwan to Bardaghat, Nawalparasi, has come into operation.

The 56 km section of the transmission line that stretches between Aaptari substation of Bharatpur Metropolitan City-11, Chitwan, and Arun River of Nawalparasi on was charged on Monday, according to Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

The NEA said it charged the section through an alternative arrangement as it was not possible to send additional power from Bharatpur to Bardaghat due to the disruption prevalent in Dumkibas, Nawalparasi. Out of 246 towers in the 74 km long transmission line, 244 have been constructed and wired.

The Bharatpur-Bardaghat 220 KV transmission line has been connected to the currently operating 132 KV transmission line through tapping in Arun River. Electricity will flow from Bharatpur substation to Arun River via the new 220 kV line and then to Bardaghat Substation via the existing 132 kV line.

Now, this 132 kV line will be supplying electricity from Pragatinagar substation to Kawasoti and some of the eastern areas of Arun River. These areas consume around 25 MW electricity.

After the new transmission system comes online, about 100 MW of electricity can be sent directly from Bharatpur to Bardaghat.

The currently operating Bharatpur-Bardaghat 132 KV transmission line is a single-circuit, which is unable to supply more than 80 MW of electricity. By upgrading a partial section of the Bharatpur-Bardaghat 220 KV transmission line, about 25 MW of load can be sent to Kawasoti and other areas.

NEA Managing Director Kulman Ghising said that more electricity can now be sent from Bharatpur to Bardaghat by charging the section from Bardaghat to Pragatinagar. “The demand for electricity is increasing in Bharatpur, but the old transmission line, having a low capacity to carry electricity, could not fulfill the demand. Now, power supply has been much easier after shifting the load from Kawasoti area,” Ghising said,

Ghising said the upgraded system helps improve the strength of energy supply in the area while it also helps reduce the electricity import from Tanakpur. “The import to fulfill power supply from Tanakpur will decrease and voltage will also improve,” he said.

According to the NEA, the construction of Bharatpur-Bardaghat transmission line has been delayed because of the obstacle from locals and an interim order of the Supreme Court in constructing two towers. The apex court dismissing the writ on Sunday has paved the way for the construction of these towers.

The local people had filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court demanding to change the route of the transmission line. The construction work had come to halt since March 2021 following the interim order issued by the Supreme Court. Project Chief Santosh Shah said that they will now start the process of providing the compensation.