100 days of Energy Minister: From recovery of dues to securing investment in large hydropower projects

KATHMANDU: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Kul Man Ghising has said that significant decisions and work implementation have taken place in the areas of energy production, transmission, investment management, and disaster risk reduction during his 100-day tenure at the ministry.

In a news conference organized at the Ministry today, Minister Ghising presented a list of 101 works carried out in the 100 days, stating that development projects have been expedited through direct inspection, proactive directives and administrative reforms.

He stated that domestic investment has been ensured for the Budhigandaki and Upper Arun hydropower projects while improving the electricity sector.

An investment and financial modality has been prepared for construction through domestic investment and sent to the Ministry of Finance for these projects.

The Energy Minister mentioned that the ‘premium’ dues of ‘dedicated’ and ‘trunk’ lines, which could not be collected in the past, has started to be collected regularly. “Due to clear instructions and strong decisions, all industries have started paying their outstanding revenues. Revenue collection has also begun from closed industries and those that had not paid a single instalment,” he said.

According to him, during this period, the management of ministry’s project contracts has been improved. Even though 60 percent of the contract duration has passed, only 10 percent of the work has been completed, and 22 problematic contracts under the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation, including the Rs 14 billion 220 million contract of the National Pride Sunkoshi Marine Multipurpose Project, have been terminated.

The project has been accelerated by understanding the problems of farmers whose fields have become barren due to lack of irrigation. A ‘Term Sheet’ has been signed with banks for the financial management of the Chainpur Seti project.

During this period, the Middle Bhotekoshi Hydropower Project was completed, the power generated from this project connected to the national transmission line, and the project began commercial production, Minister Ghising stated.

Similarly, electricity worth around Rs. 19 billion has been exported to India and Bangladesh. A framework under the “TBCB” model has been prepared for developing transmission lines. An agreement has been finalized for constructing the Inaruwa–Purnia and Dododhara–Bareilly 400 kV cross-border lines under the Nepal–India venture, it was shared during the press meet.

At the 17th Nepal–India Joint Technical Team (JETT) meeting, Nepal’s export capacity was set at 1,500 MW, while India’s import capacity was set at 1,400 MW. In a Nepal–Bangladesh meeting, Bangladesh agreed to import an additional 20 MW. To boost investment, the Ministry of Finance has proposed permitting the Nepal Electricity Authority to issue a 20 billion rupees energy bond and offer 20 percent of shares to the public.

Regarding irrigation, it has been decided to establish an irrigation management company to expand facilities to 22,500 hectares in Sarlahi and Rautahat with the help of 500 deep tubewells.

Work is in progress to terminate contracts for 22 of 33 stalled projects, and the Sunkoshi Marin Diversion Project contract has been ended due to delays. This follows the initiation of a new bidding process.

The Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project has resumed 37 MW production after repairing its flood-damaged structures. Land is being acquired for a 132 kV substation at Singha Durbar, and seven of 13 grid substations have been automated. Minister Ghising added that the state’s disaster management capacity has been assessed within 100 days.

Urban Development Minister briefs about works carried out in 100 days in office

Urban Development Minister Kul Man Ghising has stated that works such as reconstruction and infrastructure improvement in sectors affected by the Gen Z movement and natural disasters has been rapidly progressing.

Minister Ghising held a press conference at the ministry today on the occasion of completion of one hundred days since he took charge of the ministry to publicise the details of the works carried out through the Urban Development Ministry.

According to him, significant work has been carried out in rebuilding structures damaged during the Gen Z movement, expanding urban infrastructure, waste management, river conservation and the development of long-term urban planning.

During this period, four non-performing contracts under the ministry have been terminated.

Minister Ghising stated that the reconstruction of 140 government buildings with minor damage (green sticker) caused during the movement has reached its final stage.

He mentioned that a detailed damage assessment of 249 buildings with partial damage (yellow sticker) and 51 buildings with total damage (red sticker) is underway through ‘fast track’ process and that the tender process for reconstruction will be initiated within mid-January.

In the sports sector infrastructure, the first phase of construction of the TU Cricket Stadium and the installation of ‘High-Mast Floodlights’ have been completed and handed over. Additionally, the master plan of the Kirtipur Cricket Stadium has been approved, and the process of securing resources equivalent to Rs 10 billion for the second phase of construction has been initiated, Minister Ghising stated.

According to him, the hurdles observed in managing the waste generated in the Kathmandu Valley have been resolved through negotiations, and the Bancharedanda landfill site has been brought into operation.

Minister Ghising stated that water distribution in the valley has been resumed after resolving the issue through talks regarding the closure of the source of the Melamchi Water Supply Project.

He said the concept paper for the Greater Lumbini Area Development Project has been approved and sent to the Ministry of Finance.

Work is underway to finalise the Integrated Urban Development Roadmap for the valley under Kathmandu Vision.

The Minister has stated that under policy reforms, the process of preparing the Right to Housing Regulations-2082, the Bagmati Action Plan (2025-45), amendments to laws related to Municipal Development Fund, and Rural Infrastructure Development Policy has been moved ahead.

Ministry of Physical Infrastructure revitalizing sick and stalled projects

Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Kul Man Ghising stated that a significant stride has been made ranging from reconstruction of infrastructures damaged during Gen-Z revolt to improvement of strategic road, tunnels and transport services in the past 100 days.

Organizing a press meet here today to make public the works accomplished in his first 100 days, Minister Ghising asserted that THE interim government has taken a stringent action against the tendency to hold the development projects hostage.

Ghising further mentioned that the government will no longer tolerate delays, negligence and excuses when it comes to revitalize the stalled projects.

Sick or stranded projects have been scrapped and a new bidding process has already begun to give an impetus to them, informed the Minister.

He divulged, “About 40 problematic contracts worth around Rs 3 billion-including the long stalled Kankai Bridge in Jhapa, have been terminated, with around 150 more in the process.”

Key achievements during his first 100 days include construction and expansion of roads, construction of bridges, tunnel works at Siddha Baba tunnel and Nagdhunga tunnel, reconstruction of damaged infrastructures, transport service reforms and progress on railways and smart driving license, he added.

During this period, eight km of four-lane roads have been built with 160 km of two-lane road have been blacktopped and 10 bridges have been constructed, he mentioned.

Ghising claimed that the 100 days mark is only the beginning, with more reforms planned ahead.