Chilime Trishuli Transmission Line project achieves 45% physical progress

RASUWA, Sept 8: Chilime Trishuli Transmission Line Project in Rasuwa district has achieved 45% physical progress. While project designing work is at its last leg, excavation works for 15 towers in Haku and Tiru have completed, according to project officials.

"It took a bit longer time for foundation works in these areas due to lack of road access. Everything had to be done using laborers," Shubharambh Bikram Shah, chief of the 220 kV transmission line project, told Republica. "In other areas, foundation works will be faster as we will be using earthmovers."

He also added that the project will use helicopter to take construction materials in other areas that lack road access.

Meanwhile, the project has already completed land acquisition and compensation distribution work. It has achieved 13% financial physical progress, according to Shah.

Construction of the transmission line began from December 20, 2017 setting construction deadline of June 13, 2019. However, the project has got deadline extension till February 29, 2020.

"Construction work is taking longer time as most of the areas do not have road access," Shah said, adding: "The transmission line will connect power generated by hydropower projects in upper reaches of Rasuwa to the national grid."

The 27-kilometer transmission line will connect Goljung in Ama Chhodingmo Rural Municipality to Trishuli 3B Hub in Kispang Rural Municipality of Nuwakot.

According to Shah, the transmission line will be double-circuit from Goljung to Mailung and four-circuit from Mailung to Trishuli 3B Hub. The project will erect a total of 78 pylons between Goljung to Trishuli 3B Hub.

The project has provided 100% compensation to locals who land is acquired to erect pylons, while it provided 10 to 20% compensation to landowners whose land lies just below the transmission line.

"People can plant crop in such land even after receiving compensation," Shah added.

The transmission line and the substation are being constructed by the government with grant assistance from KfW Development Bank of Germany and European Investment Bank. The transmission line will be crucial for evacuating power generated by hydropower plants in Gosaikunda Rural Municipality and Ama Chodingmo Rural Municipality.

"The project saw some delay due to delay in getting approval to cut trees. Also, there was some delay in finalizing financial assistance," added Shah.

The project has completed construction of retaining wall and boundary wall for construction of substation. It plans to start construction of control building and transformer foundation before Dashain festival which begins in less than a month.

The transmission line can evacuate a total of 500 MW of power. Power generated by Upper Trishuli I (216 MW), Rasuwagadhi (111 MW from), Sanjen Khola (78 MW from), Sanjen (42.5 MW), Langtang Khola (20 MW), Upper Sanjen (14.5 MW) and from Upper Mailung A (6.42 MW) will be connected to the national grid by this transmission line.