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A major obstacle to the construction of the Dhalkebar–Hetauda 400 kV transmission line, which had remained stalled for the past 12 years due to various reasons, has been cleared following a government decision. The Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday approved the use of forest land in the Makwanpur section, paving the way for the project to accelerate construction.

The Cabinet granted the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) permission, in accordance with Section 42(1) of the Forest Act, 2019, to use 2.2 hectares of national forest land under the Ratomate Community Forest Users Group in Hetauda-15, Makwanpur, and the Saraswati Community Forest Users Group in Bakaiya Rural Municipality-2. It also approved the removal of 1,292 trees of various species from the designated area.

According to the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, the project had been delayed for years due to pending decisions related to forest land use, right-of-way (RoW) management, and tree felling. The approximately 300-kilometer Dhalkebar–Hetauda–Inaruwa transmission corridor requires a 46-meter-wide right-of-way for the construction of the 400 kV high-voltage transmission line, making forest clearance a critical requirement.

Construction of the 220 kV transmission line circuit from Hetauda to Butwal has already been completed. Once the proposed 400 kV transmission line comes into operation, it is expected to facilitate smoother east-west electricity flow, improve the reliability of the national power system, and reduce frequent tripping and power interruptions. The project is also expected to significantly enhance Nepal’s ability to export surplus electricity to India.

Acting Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority, Dirghayu Kumar Shrestha, said that once the transmission line becomes operational, Nepal’s national transmission system will become stronger, more balanced, and more reliable. He noted that electricity generated in the eastern region will be transmitted efficiently to the west, while power produced in the west will be supplied seamlessly to the east.

Meanwhile, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha described the project as an “energy highway,” stating that it will significantly increase Nepal’s electricity export capacity. He said Nepal currently has the capacity to export around 1,000 MW of electricity, and that once the transmission system is fully operational, the country’s export capacity could rise to between 2,500 MW and 3,000 MW.

With the government’s latest decision, the Dhalkebar–Hetauda 400 kV transmission line, regarded as a key national transmission infrastructure project, is expected to gain fresh momentum.

Urjasanchar