The reconstruction of the Kabeli Corridor 132 kV double-circuit transmission line, which was severely damaged by the flood in Mai Khola, Ilam, has been successfully completed. The flood, which occurred on September 28, 2024, caused significant damage to four towers in Dhodrebensi, located in Mai Municipality-1 and 7 of Ilam, disrupting power supply along the Kabeli Corridor.
The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), in collaboration with 20 private sector hydropower projects linked to the Kabeli Corridor transmission line, has jointly completed the repair work, bringing the line back into operation on Monday, as confirmed by the NEA.
Mohan Karki, an energy entrepreneur involved in the reconstruction efforts from the private sector, stated that the restoration was completed within 19 days of beginning the work, a remarkable feat under challenging conditions.
With the transmission line now operational, hydropower projects in Taplejung, Panchthar, and Ilam have resumed electricity generation, which had been halted since the flood on September 28.
The joint effort between the NEA and the private sector was seen as a model of collaboration, with the NEA supplying materials such as transmission line spare parts, while the private sector covered costs, including labor expenses. Each involved hydropower project contributed to the reconstruction effort.
The flood had caused extensive damage to four towers—No. 50, 51, 52, and 53—in the section from Godak in Ilam to Damak in Jhapa, spanning across the Mai Khola. The transmission line in this area crosses the river with a 750-meter span. Towers 51 and 52 were completely destroyed by the flood, while towers 50 and 53 suffered partial damage. The NEA confirmed that new towers have been erected to replace those destroyed, and repairs were made to the damaged towers.
The successful reconstruction was made possible with full support from local authorities, who played a key role in facilitating the repair work.
