Minister orders swift resolution of dispute delaying 132kV transmission line

KATHMANDU: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, has instructed officials to resolve the ongoing dispute affecting the 132 kV Kohalpur–Surkhet transmission line in the Baniyabhar area of Banke district.

In a meeting held at the ministry today, Minister Khadka called in Project Chief Ravi Kumar Chaudhary and directed him to promptly address the issues obstructing the project’s progress, particularly in Baijanath Rural Municipality-4 of Banke.

Due to local resistance in Baniyabhar, construction of three electricity towers has stalled, causing delays in the overall project timeline.

Expressing concern, the Minister emphasized the need to move the project forward by addressing the demands of local residents fairly and ensuring proper compensation and resettlement for affected households.

Project Chief Chaudhary informed the Minister that construction could not proceed due to continued local obstruction. He confirmed that three transmission towers remain to be built in the affected area.

The transmission line contract, signed in Bhadra 2077 BS, was originally scheduled for completion—including design, construction, testing, distribution, and plant procurement—within two years.

However, local disruptions have significantly delayed progress.