Improvement in electricity supply in the south-western region of Bharatpur, operated by the Devnagar substation in Chitwan.

Kathmandu, 10th May, 2024 – In Chitwan’s Bharatpur Metropolitan City-6, 33/11 kV substation has been brought into operation in Devnagar. The construction of the Devnagar substation, with a power transfer capacity of 24 MVA, has been completed, and it was charged on Tuesday.

The 33 kV line from the 132 kV Baseni substation located in Bharatpur Metropolitan City-11 to Devnagar substation has been extended to Gandarong. Approximately 9 kilometers of 33 kV transmission line has been constructed from Gandarong to Devnagar substation. This transmission line has also been charged. There are four 11 kV feeders for local electricity supply from the Devnagar substation.

After the power supply from the substation, the problem of low voltage experienced by consumers in the south-western region of Bharatpur, including Gauriganj, Prembasti, Shivnagar, Fulbari, Gitanagar, Patihani, and Sitamai areas, will be resolved. With sufficient, reliable, high-quality, and secure supply, consumers in these areas can expect improved services. Additionally, there are a large number of agricultural consumers and hotel customers in this area who will benefit from irrigation and power supply, respectively.

Under the investment of the Government of Nepal and the Nepal Electricity Authority, as well as the concessional loan obtained under the Grid Solar and Energy Efficiency Project (Package-9) of the World Bank, construction of 33 kV lines and substations has been carried out. The cost of the Gandarong-Devnagar 33 kV transmission line and substation is approximately NPR 90 million, as informed by the project’s chief, Sangita Karki.

Even though the substations were ready, there was mention of some delays in line construction due to local obstructions and the time required for environmental studies and approvals before bringing the substations into operation, as stated by project chief Karki. She mentioned, “The COVID-19 pandemic, land acquisition issues, and the extension of transmission lines through the buffer zone of Chitwan National Park have caused some delays in construction due to the need for brief environmental impact studies and approvals, as well as local obstructions.

The condensed environmental impact study report was approved, and line construction was scheduled to begin in the month of Phagun (February-March). However, construction was halted after local obstructions arose during the line construction.

Bharatpur Metropolitan City Mayor Renu Dahal, Deputy Mayor Chitrasen Adhikari, Chief District Officer Bhupendra Thapa, and other relevant ward chairpersons worked to resolve the problem of low voltage electricity supply, which was affecting hoteliers, irrigation consumers, project management, and security personnel as a top priority.