KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation has initiated coordination efforts to remove obstacles hindering the construction of transmission lines across the country.

Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has prioritised the timely completion of these projects to strengthen the national power grid.

The ministry held a briefing on Thursday with the heads of 12 ongoing transmission line projects. The project managers reported challenges regarding tree felling permissions from the Department of Forests and delays in relocating utility poles and towers due to the Department of Roads. Anshu Kiran Shahi, a member of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) board, stated that coordination between ministries has helped accelerate progress on these sites.

Navaraj Ojha, head of the NEA’s Distribution and Consumer Services Directorate, confirmed that all 12 projects are expected to be completed within the current year.

The projects reviewed include the Tumlingtar-Sitalpati 220 kV, Dhalkebar-Banganga 132 kV, Kohalpur-Surkhet-Dailekh 132 kV, Nepalgunj-Nanpara 132 kV, Lalbandi-Salimpur 132 kV, Inaruwa-Biratnagar 132 kV, Hetauda-Dhalkebar 400 kV, and Kaligandaki-Ridhi 132 kV lines.

Regarding the Inaruwa-Biratnagar project, where the contractor failed to meet deadlines, the ministry has coordinated with the sub-contractor to complete the work within three months. The Hetauda-Dhalkebar 400 kV line, which faced forestry issues, is now expected to be finished by mid-November.

Anil Kumar Adhikari, the chief advisor to the Energy Minister, stated that once these lines are integrated into the main grid within six to 12 months, the frequent power tripping issues in those regions will be resolved.

Minister Shrestha has instructed project heads to expedite work, pledging that the ministry will address any inter-departmental issues immediately.