The PEC will determine the technical aspects and explore all possibilities for supply of 100 MW power to Nepal immediately through maintenance and other works from various points available within three months. “In addition, the two sides are working on the possibility of importing 145 MW additional power from India to meet the demand in Nepal,” Sher Singh Bhatt, the spokesperson of Nepal Electricity Authority and the member of visiting delegation to India told Republica. [break]
In totality India and Nepal would work out all possibilities of importing to Nepal a total of 145 MW additional power in two years timeframe.
India and Nepal recorded the 12-point meeting minutes in the conclusion of the two-day JCWR (Joint Committee on Water Resources) meeting here in New Delhi. The sixth JCWR has reviewed the whole gamut of water issues between Nepal and India, including the controversial Koshi, Mahakali and Gandak treaties, Keshav Dhoj Adhikari, the spokesperson of Department of Electricity Development informed Republica.
In particular, the two sides agreed to complete the Detail Project Report of Koshi high dam project within two years. The Terms of Reference of the Pansheswor Development Authority would be finalized by Indian cabinet within three months.
Power Trade Agreement is also soon to be finalized as Nepal has already submitted the draft of the proposal and is awaiting India’s go ahead. India has also promised the much-needed financial assistance to complete the cross-border transmission line projects.
The minutes were signed by Energy secretary Balananda Poudel on behalf of Nepal and Dhruv Bijay Singh, a secretary at water resource ministry of India, on behalf of the 15-member Indian delegation.
Speaking to Republica after the signing ceremony, secretary Singh said, “We must move ahead positively by keeping aside all past differences,” adding, “We want to work in close corporation with Nepal to take forward the feasible hydropower projects ahead.”
The meeting has been termed “successful” and “positive” by both the sides. This is seen as a direct fallout of the goodwill visit of Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai last month to India.
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