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A 132 kV transmission line will be constructed to connect the electricity generated by the National Pride Bheri–Babai Diversion Multipurpose Project to Nepal’s national transmission system. The power generated by the project will be integrated into the Kohalpur–Surkhet 132 kV transmission line, which has been built by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

The project plans to construct a 1.7-kilometer-long 132 kV transmission line for this purpose. The Bheri–Babai Diversion Project aims to divert water from the Bheri River into the Babai River and generate approximately 46.8 MW of electricity.

A total of nine transmission towers will be erected along the proposed line. Of these, three towers will be located within the core area of Bardiya National Park, while the remaining six towers will fall within the park’s buffer zone. The transmission line will have an 18-meter right-of-way, affecting Ward No. 5 of Bheriganga Municipality in Surkhet and parts of Bardiya National Park.

The project has initiated the process of preparing an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the transmission line and has invited suggestions and feedback from stakeholders.

Project Reaches 70% Completion

Under the Bheri–Babai Diversion Multipurpose Project, water from the Bheri River will be diverted through a 12-kilometer tunnel into the Babai River. In addition to generating electricity, the project aims to provide year-round irrigation to nearly 51,000 hectares of farmland in the districts of Banke and Bardiya.

According to the project’s Information Officer, Hari Bahadur Thapa, the project has achieved 70 percent physical progress and 57 percent financial progress so far. It is estimated that the remaining construction work will take about three more years to complete.

Following concerns over delays, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha recently inspected the project site and directed officials to accelerate the pace of construction.

The project’s 12-kilometer main diversion tunnel has already been completed, while construction of the civil, hydro-mechanical, and electro-mechanical structures is ongoing. The project also stated that the process of obtaining environmental clearance and other pre-construction approvals for the transmission line is moving forward.

Jalasarokar