KATHMANDU: Indian Minister for Power, Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar has arrived in Nepal for a two-day official visit, aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.
The visit comes at the invitation of Nepal’s Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka. The invitation was extended during Minister Khadka’s trip to India on February 12.
Minister Khattar is scheduled to inaugurate the Inaruwa-Basantapur-Baneshwor-Tumlingtar transmission line, part of the 220 kV Koshi Corridor project completed with Indian government support.
He will also inaugurate the Tumlingtar substation in Sankhuwasabha. The joint program includes the 220/133/33 kV Tumlingtar substation, the 220/33 kV Baneshwor substation, and the 220/133/33 kV Basantapur substation.
Khattar will also visit the powerhouse and dam site of the Arun III Hydropower Project, a major undertaking being developed with Indian investment.
According to the private secretariat of Minister Khadka, an agreement will also be signed today to establish a joint company for the construction of cross-border transmission lines. Additionally, a memorandum of understanding between the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and India’s Power Grid Corporation will be signed for the development of two new inter-country transmission lines.
On Wednesday, Minister Khattar is scheduled to visit the Muktinath area in Mustang. He will also make courtesy calls on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Deputy Prime Minister and Urban Development Minister Prakash Man Singh. Before returning to India the same evening, Khattar will visit the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu.
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