The construction of the Kohalpur–Surkhet 132 kV transmission line has been completed after a delay of more than six and a half years, with testing scheduled to begin from Friday.
Developed under the Kohalpur–Surkhet–Dailekh 132 kV transmission line project, the line connects the Kohalpur substation in Banke with the Surkhet substation at Subbakuna. The project was jointly financed by the Government of Nepal and the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).
Construction began on Ashar 22, 2076 BS, with an estimated cost of Rs 650 million and an original completion timeline of two years. However, the project was completed nearly four and a half years behind schedule.
According to the NEA, electricity will be transmitted at 132 kilovolts through the double-circuit transmission line during the testing phase starting Friday. Following successful testing, the line will be brought into full commercial operation.
Once operational, the transmission line is expected to substantially improve the quality and reliability of electricity supply in Karnali Province. Industries in Surkhet, which have long struggled with low voltage and unstable power supply, are expected to benefit from improved voltage stability.
Currently, Surkhet receives electricity through a 33 kV transmission line that has been in use since 2045 BS. The limited capacity of this aging infrastructure has resulted in frequent voltage fluctuations and power tripping. Officials believe these issues will be resolved once the new 132 kV line becomes operational, paving the way for a more reliable power supply and supporting industrial growth in the region.
