KATHMANDU, Oct 14: The work of Solu Corridor 132 kV double circuit transmission line that was obstructed for the last two years is set to be resumed.
The project work was obstructed by consumers of Maruwa Harit Community Forest of Katari Municipality-4 of Udaypur district, following which construction of the transmission line was halted for the last two years. According to the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, the obstruction has now been removed with Minister Barshaman Pun taking the initiative.
The locals had demanded compensation for land, route of transmission line and had also demanded that transmission line tower be shifted elsewhere.
Minister Pun, calling a meeting with the stakeholders on Tuesday, proposed to address the demands of the locals, in response to which the local representatives agreed to clear all sorts of obstruction in construction of the project.
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Minister Pun clarified that the government is in favor of working on development projects by addressing the legitimate concerns of the people and said that no one should obstruct the development work. He said local governments and local representatives should play a responsible role as they are closest to the people.
"My long-standing effort to move the project forward has now met with success. I am satisfied," said Minister Pun.
Federal Member of Parliament Suresh Kumar Rai said the problems of the locals have been almost solved. "It has been agreed to remove the obstruction in order to compensate for the land used by the project," said Rai.
Gyanendra Shrestha, Mayor of Katari Municipality, mentioned that the minister expressed the commitment to address the demands of the locals. “Discussions were held with the Minister. We have informed the Minister about the demands raised by the locals, which will be solved after we return from Kathmandu,” he added.
Due to the delay in the construction of the transmission line, powers generated in the district have not been connected to the national transmission line. Of the 23 MW electricity generated by the Solu Khola Hydropower Project, for example, more than 18 MW is going into waste.
A 90-kilometer long transmission line from Mirchaiya of Siraha to Tingla of Solukhumbu is being built. Of which 95 percent of the work has been completed, according to the Project head Janardan Gautam. “A total of 288 towers of the 302 proposed towers have been already installed.”
The project has completed installation of a 45-kilometer double circuit line and construction of towers is underway.
Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has signed a PPA agreement for the under construction 325 MW project at the Solu Corridor.
