October 30: The Kali Gandaki Transmission Mechanism, which was developed with the aim to connect the hydro-electricity generated from Kali Gandaki River basin to the national grid, is expected to be complete within this fiscal year. Installation of both towers and sub-stations are being carried side by side for the 39 km transmission line from Kusma of Parbat to Dana of Myagdi district.

According to Nepal Electricity Authority’s Director Kul Man Ghising, approximately 60 percent of the transmission mechanism has been completed. Ghising informed that the construction of the foundation of towers, installation of towers and all sub-stations are being carried out without any delay. He further added that the power evacuation will be initiated after finishing the construction work within this fiscal year.

Under the distribution network, 110 towers and two substations each at Kusma of Parbat and Dana of Myagdi will be installed. Ghising said that they have given more emphasis to finish this project than other similar projects.

The project is expected to complete in the stipulated time as there is not hassles in acquiring land and forests, said the project chief Chandan Kumar Ghosh.

“The first phase of the work will be completed within this fiscal year,” said Ghos adding, “After that, extension of transmission line (87.8 km) from Kusma to Ramnagar of Nawalparasi will be initiated in the second phase of the project.”   

At present, 16 hydropower projects have taken permission from the Department of Electricity Development to supply power to the Kali Gandaki Corridor Project. The total capacity of the projects is 739.4 MW.