Agreement to accelerate substation in Lapsiphedi addressing demands of locals

The government has agreed to address the demands of the affected locals of Bojini at Sankharapur Municipality-3 in Kathmandu district.

Various issues of social responsibilities would be initiated to address the demands of the affected locals so as to take forward the construction of the power substation.

In a discussion programme with stakeholders held at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation on Monday, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Shakti Basnet urged the locals to let the government accelerate substation related works.

Assuring that all demands of the affected community would be addressed, Minister Basnet argued that the further delay in the construction of substation would create more problems in the project.

Pledging to take forward the developmental works and other undertaking at the local level, the Minister vowed to resolve the problems facing the transmission line affected locals in a policy manner which, he believed, would create a favorable evidences for other projects as well.

The substation and transmission line are considered important for electrification of the Kathmandu Valley. This project has the investment of the government of Nepal, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and Asian Development Bank.

Similarly, Dinesh Kumar Ghimire, Secretary at the Ministry, urged the affected locals to help create an enabling environment to carry forward the Project. He reaffirmed that the government was fully committed to addressing the demands raised by the project affected locals.

The substation with the capacity of 400/220/132/11 KV would be built at Lapsiphedi in Shankharapur Municipality to supply electricity generated from Tamakoshi and Sunkoshi rivers and their tributaries to Kathmandu Valley.

A 400 KV transmission line would be connected to substation from Naya Khimti in Ramechhap district to Lapshiphedi via Barabishe in Sidhupalchowk district for power supply.

Of the 50 affected locals whose land was acquired for the substation, compensation worth Rs 500 million has been provided to 49 people so far.

Present in the discussion were high-ranking officials from the Ministry, NEA's Executive Director Kulman Ghising, Sankharapur Municipality Mayor Ramesh Napit, chairperson of ward no. 3 Surya Bahadur Tamang and representatives from the affected locals among others.

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