The World Bank has withdrawn from the construction of two transmission lines, citing failure to complete the project on time. Hetauda-Dhalkewar-Inaruwa 400 KV and Hetauda-Bharatpur-Bardaghat 220 KV transmission lines are under construction with the concessional loan from the World Bank.
According to Dirghayu Shrestha, head of the transmission line of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the body has been withdrawing from the project. According to Shrestha, the project will not be resumed as it will expire on November 10.
The World Bank had given a loan of around Rs 1.38 billion. The total cost of these two projects is around Rs 8 billion. The government's investment has reached Rs 4 billion so far. NEA sources say that preparations are being made to raise investment in the project.
The progress of 400 KV and 220/132/33 KV substations is only 65 and 85 percent respectively. According to the agreement with the bank, the construction should have been completed within three years. However, a decade later, World Bank has withdrawn from the contract after the delays, according to an authoritative source.
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