Construction of Dhalkebar–Hetauda 400 kV transmission line cleared after 12-year delay

KATHMANDU: The path has been cleared for the construction of the Dhalkebar–Hetauda 400 kV electricity transmission line after the government approved the use of forest land required for the project. The decision by the Council of Ministers has removed a major hurdle that had stalled the high-capacity transmission project for more than a decade.

The Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday approved the use of forest land for the alignment change of the Hetauda–Dhalkebar 400 kV Transmission Line Project in Makwanpur, allowing the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to move ahead with construction activities.

The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation said the decision has opened the way for the construction of one of Nepal’s most important high-voltage transmission infrastructures, which had been delayed due to issues related to forest clearance, land use approval and tree removal.

According to the Cabinet decision, the Nepal Electricity Authority has been permitted to use 2.2 hectares of national forest land managed by the Ratamate Community Forest User Group of Hetauda-15 and Saraswati Community Forest User Group of Bakaiya-2 in Makwanpur.

The government has also approved the removal of 1,292 trees and poles of different species located within the project area, subject to compliance with the conditions prescribed under Section 42(1) of the Forest Act, 2019.

Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha had tabled a proposal at the Cabinet meeting to remove the longstanding obstacles affecting the project. Before the Cabinet decision, Minister Shrestha had held discussions with Forest and Environment Minister Geeta Chaudhary regarding the issue.

The ministry said Prime Minister Balendra Shah also showed readiness to take an immediate decision considering the project’s importance for citizens, industries and the country’s overall electricity system.

Minister Shrestha had also coordinated with local residents and elected representatives along the transmission line route to facilitate the resolution of the land and environmental issues.

Nepal Electricity Authority Acting Managing Director Dirghayu Kumar Shrestha said the decision has finally paved the way for a project that had remained stalled for nearly 12 years.

“The Dhalkebar–Hetauda 400 kV transmission line was delayed for a long time. The major obstacle was related to route clearance and forest approval. Now, the construction process can move forward,” Shrestha said.

He explained that a 400 kV high-voltage transmission line requires a 46-metre-wide right-of-way corridor on both sides of the line. Trees located within the corridor needed to be removed, while land-use permission was also required because parts of the route passed through forest areas.

“A 400 kV line requires a 46-metre right of way. Trees within that area had to be cleared. Since some sections were forest land, we needed approval for land use. That is why the project remained stuck for years,” he said.

The Dhalkebar–Hetauda transmission line is a crucial component of Nepal’s national electricity transmission network. The wider transmission corridor extends toward Inaruwa in Sunsari, covering around 300 kilometres.

Due to the delay in completing the Hetauda–Dhalkebar section, electricity transmission capacity between eastern and western parts of the country has remained constrained.

Currently, only a 132 kV transmission corridor existed from Hetauda towards the eastern region. According to NEA Acting Managing Director Shrestha, a 220 kV circuit has already been completed between Hetauda and Butwal.

Once the 400 kV transmission line comes into operation, Nepal’s electricity supply system will become significantly stronger, allowing higher volumes of electricity to be transmitted across the country.

Shrestha said the new transmission infrastructure will have the capacity to transmit electricity generated from projects with a combined capacity of up to 3,000 MW.

“The construction work may take around one and a half to two months. After two months, our system will become much more stable. It will also help us increase electricity exports,” he said.

He added that the transmission line would allow surplus electricity generated in eastern Nepal to be supplied to western parts of the country when required.

The project will also play an important role in Nepal’s cross-border electricity trade plans. The NEA is currently developing the Butwal–Gorakhpur cross-border transmission line with India, which is expected to be completed by December, according to Shrestha.

“For us, the Butwal and Dhalkebar substations are extremely important. They will become key points for domestic transmission and cross-border electricity trade,” he said.

The NEA has planned to construct 16 towers under the latest phase of the transmission line project. Two towers will be built by Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Nepal, while the remaining 14 towers will be constructed by the NEA.

Energy sector experts say the completion of the Dhalkebar–Hetauda 400 kV transmission line will be a major milestone for Nepal’s power sector. The project is expected to strengthen the national grid, support growing hydropower generation, improve domestic electricity distribution and enhance Nepal’s capacity to export electricity to neighbouring countries.