KATHMANDU, Jan 1: The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has pledged to supply electricity for the construction of roads under the Kathmandu-Terai Fast Track project in Mandu Maltabesi of Bhimphedi Rural Municipality-8 and Sisneri Kogate of Indrasarowar Rural Municipality-3 of Makwanpur through alternative arrangements after the floods in late September disrupted power supply to the national pride project in those area.
To ensure that the construction of the fast track is not affected by the lack of electricity, the NEA has already made alternative arrangements and is working to provide electricity as soon as possible. There is no issue with the electricity supply for local residents in the area.
To avoid hindering the construction of bridges, tunnels, and other structures in the Mandu Maltabesi and Sisneri Kogate areas, the NEA is taking steps to ensure the construction continues uninterrupted due to electricity shortages. The fast track project will require approximately 12 megawatts of electricity in those areas, with construction being carried out in four packages.
Under the alternative power supply plan, the 66 kV line from the Kulekhani I Hydropower Station to Mandu will be switched to 11 kV. Additionally, the 22.5 MVA power transformer in Jageda, Kathmandu, will be relocated to Dhorsing Substation and connected to supply the necessary power to the fast track.
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The 5 MVA transformer currently operating at Dhorsing Substation for local supply is already at full capacity, so a larger transformer is being added to meet the additional power needs.
The floods and landslides caused by heavy rains on September 27 and 28 caused significant damage to the power house and other structures of the 22 MW Bagmati Khola Small Hydropower plant operated by Mandu Hydropower Ltd., halting electricity supply to the fast track. The floodwaters washed away the switchyard, which transmitted electricity generated by the project, as well as the power transformers and other equipment installed by the NEA.
Previously, the electricity generated by this project was transmitted to Dhorsing via a 66 kV line and to the Malta Substation in Lalitpur via a 33 kV line. The fast track had been supplied electricity via an 11 kV line from Malta Substation. Another 2 MW Khani Khola Hydropower Project in Lalitpur was also connected to Malta Substation.
However, after the flood and landslides damaged Khanikhola as well, the Malta Substation was left without a power source, halting electricity supply to the fast track. Reconstruction of both projects is currently underway.
After the Nepali Army reported that the lack of power supply was affecting the construction of the fast track, a high-level team, including NEA Managing Director Kulman Ghising, Deputy Managing Director of Distribution and Customer Service Directorate Manoj Silwal, and other officials, visited the Mandu Maltabesi area on Monday.
The team inspected the Bagmati Khola Small Hydropower Project and Dhorsing Substation, both of which are being repaired, and discussed various options for immediate electricity supply with concerned officials. The reconstruction of these projects is expected to be completed by mid-April 2025. Once operational, the previous electricity supply arrangement will be restored.
Executive Director Ghising said that the addition of a power transformer at Dhorsing Substation and the activation of the Dhorsing-Mandu line to 11 kV for electricity supply to the fast track are the best immediate solutions.
“The work on this national pride project should not be delayed due to our issues. We are currently facing a shortage of electricity sources. But we shall provide electricity through alternative arrangements until the hydroelectric projects damaged by the floods start generating power. Let’s begin work on this immediately,” Ghising said.
Deputy Managing Director Silwal instructed the heads of the Palung and Hetauda distribution centers to immediately proceed with the necessary work locally to restore electricity supply.
