The construction of a 400 kV Lapsiphedi substation in Shankharapur Municipality-3 on the northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu is progressing rapidly.
The substation, based on Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) technology, will operate at 400/220 kV, 220/132 kV, and 132/11 kV levels. It is being built to transmit electricity from existing and upcoming hydropower projects on the Tamakoshi and Sunkoshi rivers and their tributaries to the Kathmandu Valley and for local supply. The project aims to complete construction by December 2025.
Despite some local resistance, the substation—spanning approximately 172 ropanis of land—has now entered a critical phase. It will serve as the largest electricity supply hub for Kathmandu Valley.
The local residents have been opposing the project since a long time, demanding that the substation be relocated away from human settlements. However, landowners accepted compensation for their properties, and after completing all legal procedures, including the Initial Environmental Assessment (IE) and Supplementary IE, this area was selected as the most suitable location. Officials claim that the project is being implemented while addressing the legitimate concerns of local residents.
Currently, about 40% of the 400/220 kV Lapsiphedi substation under the Khimti-Barhabise-Lapsiphedi Substation Project has been completed. The construction of civil structures, including the control room and GIS equipment building, is 80% complete. Additionally, 80% of the necessary equipment, such as power transformers, GIS components, and control panels, has been delivered.
The Khimti and Barhabise substations, also part of the project, are under construction. Meanwhile, under the Tamakoshi-Kathmandu Transmission Line Project, the civil structures for the 220/132 kV and 132/11 kV substations have reached 50% completion, while 98% of the required equipment has been supplied. Once civil works are completed, equipment installation will commence.
Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Executive Director Kulman Ghising, who inspected the project site on Wednesday, urged project officials and contractors to increase manpower and ensure timely completion.
"Although local issues initially delayed the project, the progress so far is satisfactory," said Ghising. "We are addressing local concerns, including road upgrades, drinking water supply, school buildings, playgrounds, monasteries, and employment opportunities, through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives." He also instructed the project team to prioritize and expedite these commitments.
Under the Tamakoshi-Kathmandu 220/400 kV transmission line project, the 400 kV transmission line from the New Khimti substation in Ramechhap will be connected to the Lapsiphedi substation via Barhabise in Sindhupalchowk.
All transmission towers in the Khimti-Barhabise section have been erected, with only three kilometers of wire left to be installed. Similarly, in the Barhabise-Lapsiphedi section, only two of the 122 towers remain to be constructed, both in the Lapsiphedi area. So far, 42 kilometers of transmission wire have been laid.
Project Chief Nitish Poudel stated that efforts are underway to complete the Tamakoshi-Kathmandu transmission line by mid-April 2026.
The substations and transmission lines are being built with financial support from the Government of Nepal, NEA, and a concessional loan under the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Power Transmission Expansion and System Improvement Project.
Meanwhile, the construction of the 132 kV Lapsiphedi-Changu Narayan transmission line, crucial for power supply to Kathmandu Valley, remains stalled due to landowners’ objections. For the past seven years, disputes over right-of-way have prevented the project from moving forward.
Although the 132 kV Changu Narayan substation has been completed, it remains non-operational due to the absence of a transmission line. Once the line is built, it will ensure a stable and high-quality power supply, particularly for the eastern parts of Kathmandu, which currently relies on the Chabahil substation.
