KATHMANDU: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has said the government has placed the transformation of the energy sector among its top priorities to support the country’s economic development.
Responding to questions raised during discussions on the appropriated budget in the National Assembly on Tuesday, the minister said the government has prepared an action plan to accelerate key energy infrastructure projects.
He said the government aims to complete the construction of 12 electricity transmission line projects in the next fiscal year, including nine 132 kV transmission lines, two 220 kV transmission lines and the Nepal–India Power Transmission and Trade Project.
Shrestha expressed confidence that the government’s new energy development action plan would be a “game changer” for Nepal’s energy sector.
The minister also said the ministry is working to expand cluster-based groundwater irrigation systems in line with the country’s federal structure.
He said the programme aims to utilise groundwater resources to develop irrigation systems across 318,000 hectares of cultivable land in the Tarai-Madhesh region where surface irrigation is not feasible.
According to the minister, around 164 deep tube wells that have completed pump testing will become operational after the completion of their associated systems this year, while construction of an additional 66 deep tube wells is also planned.
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