By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Oct. 7: The construction of the first package transmission line under Koshi Corridor 220 KV Transmission Line Project has been completed.
Under the first package, construction of 220 KV double-circuit tower from Inaruwa of Sunsari to Tumlingtar via Basantapur, Baneshwor of Sankhuwasabha and single-circuit stringing of the tower has been completed, according to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

The NEA and the India Exim Bank on Monday announced the completion of transmission line of the project organising a programme in Hile.
The transmission line project with an estimated cost of US$ 112 million has been constructed with the investment of the government of Nepal and a concessional loan provided by India Exim Bank.
Exim Bank has disbursed USD 90 million concessional loan for the project.

The Koshi Corridor Transmission Line Project can supply about 1000 MW from Tumlingtar to Basantapur, about 1000 MW from Dhungesanghu (Taplejung) to Basantapur and about 2000 MW from Basantapur to Inaruwa.
In addition, transmission and distribution network will be set up for reliable supply of power in the districts of Province 1.
On the occasion, representative of India Exim Bank, Biswajit Garg, handed over the first package of the transmission line project to Madhu Prasad Bhetuwal, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, and NEA's Managing Director Kul Man Ghising amidst a function.

Ghising said that the backbone was ready for the transmission and distribution of electricity in Province 1 after the construction of the transmission line.
Giving information that the Koshi Corridor and Kabeli Corridor transmission lines are being linked, he said that the power supply in the region would be of good quality and reliable after the completion of construction of substations under the project.
Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Energy Bhetuwal said that the infrastructure has been prepared to supply the power of the Arun and Tamor reservoir hydropower projects to the consumers through the construction of the transmission line.

He said that private sector investment has been further ensured for the construction of hydropower projects in small rives of the region after the construction of the transmission line.
Stating that energy is the main area for cooperation between Nepal and India, Deputy Chief of the Indian Embassy, Namgya C. Khampa, said that according to the cross-border electricity trade guideline issued by India, Nepal can not only buy electricity from India but also sell it.

Mayor of Dhankuta Municipality Chintan Tamang said that the construction of Koshi Corridor has confirmed that even big projects can be completed on time if there is strong will.
The project was affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The transmission project has been constructed by dividing it into three packages. Under the first package, Inaruwa-Tumlingtar transmission line, three substations under the second package, and transmission line and substation up to Dhungesanghu of Taplejung in Basantapur of Tehrathum under the third package, will be constructed.
The construction work of package 1 and 2 of the project has been completed 80 to 70 per cent respectively.

The Koshi Corridor under construction is Nepal's longest length 220 KV transmission line to connect electricity generated from the Arun and Tamor rivers and their tributaries to the national transmission grid.