Kathmandu, October 6
The Matatirtha-Chobhar section of the Thankot-Chapagaun-Bhaktapur 132 kV transmission line project has been completed, a key development aimed at strengthening and improving the reliability and quality of electricity supply in Kathmandu Valley.
The approximately six-kilometre 132 kV transmission line from the Matatirtha substation to the Chobhar substation will be charged from Friday. Once charged, the Matatirtha-Chobhar section will be connected to the national transmission system and begin regular power transmission.
Nepal Electricity Authority Managing Director Dirghayukumar Shrestha said the operation of the Matatirtha-Chobhar transmission line and Chobhar substation would make it easier to balance electricity demand and supply in Kathmandu Valley and surrounding areas.
Shrestha said construction of an approximately 4.5-kilometre 132 kV underground transmission line from the Chobhar substation to Patan was also being advanced on a high-priority basis.
The authority had decided on September 24 to charge the Matatirtha-Chobhar transmission line within 15 days to manage the growing electricity demand in Kathmandu Valley during the upcoming winter. Two bays have been constructed at the Chobhar substation as part of the infrastructure required to charge the line.
The Thankot-Chapagaun-Bhaktapur transmission line project was initiated to build a 132 kV transmission-line ring covering Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur to ensure an adequate, safe, reliable and quality power supply to the valley.
However, construction of the transmission line was affected by local opposition in Khokana, Bungamati, Harisiddhi and Lamatar areas of Lalitpur. As an alternative, construction of a 132/11 kV substation at Chobhar was taken forward.
The Chobhar substation has nine 11 kV feeders for local power distribution. It will supply electricity to areas including Kirtipur, Pharping, Pulchowk and Ekantakuna.
The operation of the substation is expected to improve voltage and make electricity supply more reliable and stable in these areas.
Electricity generated by hydropower projects mainly in the Trishuli and Marsyangdi river basins is currently supplied to Kathmandu Valley through the Matatirtha substation.
The operation of the 132 kV transmission line between Matatirtha and Chobhar will provide an additional alternative route in the valley’s electricity supply system.
An approximately 4.5-kilometre 132 kV underground transmission line from Chobhar through the Ring Road to the Lagankhel (Patan) substation in Lalitpur is under construction. The Patan substation is also being upgraded to operate at the 132 kV level.
The Thankot-Chapagaun-Bhaktapur 132 kV transmission line project was initiated in fiscal year 1998/99 with investment from the Nepal government and the Nepal Electricity Authority.
Under the project, transmission-line construction on the Kathmandu and Bhaktapur sides has already been completed. The completed section on the Kathmandu side, up to Chobhar, is now being prepared for charging.
Construction of the Lalitpur section, however, has not progressed after residents in Khokana, Bungamati, Harisiddhi and Lamatar obstructed the work, demanding a change in the transmission-line route.
As a result, the plan to operate Kathmandu Valley’s 132 kV transmission system as a complete ring network has continued to face delays.
