Kathmandu, July 13: The long-awaited Markichowk–Bharatpur 220 kV transmission line officially came into operation on Saturday, strengthening Nepal’s electricity transmission network and improving the reliability of power supply.
With the commissioning of the new transmission line, the electricity transmission system linking Chitwan, Hetauda, Butwal and Kohalpur is expected to become more balanced, efficient and reliable.
Constructed under the Marsyangdi Corridor 220 kV Transmission Line Project, the project includes a 67-kilometre double-circuit transmission line extending from the New Marsyangdi Substation at Markichowk in Aanbukhaireni Rural Municipality, Tanahun, to the New Bharatpur Substation at Aanptari in Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Chitwan.
Although construction of most of the transmission line had been completed earlier, the project remained stalled for a prolonged period because a transmission tower at the Markichowk section could not be built due to local obstacles.
On June 20, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha conducted an on-site inspection and initiated coordination among local representatives, the district administration and project officials to resolve the construction dispute.
Following these efforts, construction of the remaining tower was accelerated and completed, enabling the transmission line to be brought into operation. With the new line now in service, frequent tripping and repeated power interruptions in the region are expected to decline significantly. The project is also expected to improve the overall reliability and quality of electricity transmission and supply.
Minister Shrestha said the transmission line will enable all electricity generated by privately developed hydropower projects along the Marsyangdi Corridor during the monsoon season to be transmitted efficiently to the national grid through Bharatpur. He added that hydropower projects that had previously been forced to operate below capacity because of limited transmission infrastructure will now be able to transmit their full electricity output.
According to the minister, the project represents an important milestone in strengthening Nepal’s energy security and self-reliance by enabling cleaner electricity generated through collaboration between the government and the private sector to be integrated more effectively into the national grid.
The Markichowk–Bharatpur 220 kV transmission line was constructed with financial support from European development partners through concessional loans, along with joint investment from the Government of Nepal and the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). #nepal
