Millennium Challenge Account Nepal (MCA-Nepal) has invited tender for the 18 km long Butwal-Gorakhpur power transmission line on Friday.

The tender has been invited for the design of the 400 KV transmission line to be handed over after the completion of construction.

The notice issued by MCA Nepal states that the construction companies who want to participate in the tender can apply until May 17.

Earlier, the 40th board meeting of MCA-Nepal decided to separate the 18 km section from the 315 km transmission line and proceed with the fast track.

The transmission line to be built with the help of Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) was earlier planned to be built in three sections, but now it will be built in four sections.

Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) was worried that the construction of this section along with the rest of the transmission line would delay the construction of the cross-border line. Due to this, the MCA decided to implement this 18 km section separately in order to complete the construction of this cross-border transmission line as soon as possible.

“If this section is separated from the entire project, the procurement process can be completed quickly,” said Nabinraj Singh, spokesperson of the Ministry of Energy. He said that it will also ensure that its construction will be completed within 2026 to connect with the transmission line under construction in India.

According to MCA, the contracts under MCC will be awarded by considering both price and quality.

MCA Nepal had previously called for tenders for 315 km transmission lines in three lots, but the process itself was canceled after the minimum offer was 60 percent more expensive.

Again, since it will take time to call the tender for the whole project, the MCA has called the tender for the cross-border line.