The Dhalkebar-Inaruwa section of the Hetauda-Dhalkebar-Inaruwa 400 kV transmission line, currently under construction, has been put into operation. This project aims to strengthen and enhance the reliability of the electricity transmission system within Nepal and expand electricity trade between Nepal and India.

The 154 km 400 kV double circuit transmission line, extending from Dhalkebar in Dhanusha to the Inaruwa Substation in Bhokraha Narsingh Rural Municipality-4, Sunsari, was charged and put into operation on Tuesday at 7:30 pm. Both the Dhalkebar and Inaruwa 400 kV substations are now connected to this transmission line and have been charged.

With the commissioning of the Dhalkebar-Inaruwa section, electricity transmission at 400 kV has started for the first time within Nepal. Previously, electricity was imported and exported through the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur (India) international transmission line at 400 kV. Now, domestic electricity is being transmitted through the 400 kV lines.

Kulman Ghising, Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority, stated that the commissioning of the Dhalkebar-Inaruwa section marks a significant achievement in improving the voltage of electricity supply, particularly in the Terai districts of Koshi Province. This development enhances the overall quality and reliability of the country’s transmission system and increases the volume of electricity trade between Nepal and India. The transmission line has the capacity to transmit about 4,000 megawatts of electricity.

Managing Director Ghising also mentioned that, due to the unprepared transmission infrastructure, the current electricity import-export capacity through the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur international transmission line is only 800 MW. However, with the new infrastructure, this capacity can now be increased. Electricity supplied to the Inaruwa substation via the Koshi Corridor can be utilized locally, and any excess can be transmitted to Dhalkebar through the Inaruwa transmission line and exported to India.

The construction of the 288 km transmission line from the Hetaunda substation to the Inaruwa substation in Thanabhayang, located in Hetaunda sub-metropolitan city-11, Makwanpur, was divided into two sections. The Hetaunda-Dhalkebar section spans 134 km and the Dhalkebar-Inaruwa section covers 154 km. The Hetaunda-Dhalkebar section is still under construction.