MYAGDI: Construction of the Dandakhet–Rahughat transmission line, operated by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), has been delayed as the Division Forest Office in Myagdi has not yet issued tree-cutting orders. The project has so far achieved 80 percent physical progress.
The transmission line project was originally scheduled for completion by November 2025. The cabinet had approved the use of 25.62 hectares of community and national forest land for tower sites and right-of-way on February 18, 2024. The construction site contains 3,936 trees.
Project Chief Roshan Agrawal stated that delays arose because the Division Forest Office had not issued tree-cutting orders, despite funds being allocated for plantation on 504 ropani of land. According to him, the contractor has submitted a revised schedule aiming to complete the project by April 2026.
The 25-kilometre, 132 kV double-circuit transmission line connects Dandakhet in Malika Rural Municipality–7 to Ambang in Rahughat, Raghuganga Rural Municipality–3. The project, awarded to Larsen & Toubro Limited for NPR 3.57 billion on December 31, 2021, had its first deadline lapse on July 16. So far, 59 tower foundations have been laid, with work completed on 45. Except for four towers pending tree cutting, construction has commenced across all other sites.
About 85 percent of equipment for the transmission line and substations has already been imported. Installation has begun at the Dandakhet substation (51 ropani) with 133/33 kV, 30 MVA AIS technology equipment, while work on the Rahughat substation (GIS technology, 220/132/33 kV, 200 MVA) is underway, including storage of equipment and office construction.
Land acquisition for substations included 90 ropani at Ambang and compensation payments to private landowners near tower sites. The project aims to integrate electricity generated from four hydropower projects along the Myagdi River into the central grid. Among them, Chimkhola–Rahughat–Mangle (35.5 MW) and Thulokhola–Rahughat (21.3 MW) have started trial production, while Upper Rahughat (48.5 MW), Rahughat (40 MW), and Upper Thulokhola (23.5 MW) are in final stages of construction.
Division Forest Office Chief Bishnu Adhikari cited manpower shortages for delays in field surveys, report preparation, and tree-cutting decisions. State Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Kham Bahadur Garbuz has urged the office to issue orders promptly.
The total project cost is estimated at Rs 4.87 billion, funded by NEA’s Rs 105 million and a $38.2 million loan from the Asian Development Bank.
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