The process of land acquisition has been initiated in Dhading for the construction of an electricity transmission line as part of the Millennium Challenge Compact (MCC) grant project by the Millennium Challenge Account Nepal Development Committee (MCA-Nepal), funded by the United States.
The land acquisition process pertains to the 400 KV power transmission project, encompassing the Ratemate substation to New Hetauda substation section and the Ratemate substation to New Damauli section.
On Thursday, the District Administration Office, Dhading, issued an official notifice outlining the land acquisition efforts for MCC project. The process covers several wards: ward numbers 8, 11, 1, 2, and 3 of Thakre Rural Municipality; wards 10, 9, 8, 7, 5, and 4 of Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality; ward 2 of Gajuri Rural Municipality; wards 6 and 7 of Siddhi Lekhak Rural Municipality; ward 3 of Galchhi Rural Municipality; and wards 2 and 5 of Nilkantha Municipality.
The notice specifies that individuals with vested interests have a window of 21 days from the notice’s publication to submit applications to the District Administration Office, Dhading. These applications should detail compensation claims for any affected properties, including houses, towers, trees, crops, and other relevant assets on the land slated for acquisition. Furthermore, the notice highlights that if there are reasonable justifications against the acquisition, individuals have a seven-day period to present their arguments.
The land acquisition process for the 400 KV power transmission project has also been initiated in Palpa, spanning from Butwal substation to Damauli substation.
The overarching MCC project envisions the construction of a transmission line that will traverse the Ratemate-Lapsiphedi-Hetauda-New Damauli-New Butwal corridor, supported by the US government grant. This will encompass transmission sections such as New Butwal, New Butwal-New Damauli, New Damauli-Ratemate (Nuwakot), Ratemate-Hetauda, and Ratemate-Lapsifedi (Kathmandu), originating from the Indian border.
Anticipated to be of 400 kV capacity, the transmission line will be accompanied by three substantial 400 KV substations at Ratemate, Damauli, and Butwal. The estimated budget for these transmission line projects amounts to approximately $400 million.
Beyond the power sector, the MCC initiative extends to road infrastructure enhancement, aiming to enhance approximately 77 kilometers of roadway stretching from Bhalubang in Dang to Seema Shiva River in Banke.
