Land acquisition for the transmission line associated with the Arun-3 hydropower project in Nepal is underway, according to senior officials of the implementing agency SJVN Ltd.
The transmission line contract has been divided into two packages, covering a total of seven districts in Nepal. The first packages relates to three districts in hilly areas and four in plain areas.
It is learnt that in the plain area, the required land is already in possession and foundation work for 70-80 towers have already been laid. In fact, some towers have also been erected.
However, in the hilly area covering three districts including Sankhuwasabha and Bhojpur, land acquisition is proving to be problematic, in some portions. All the same, SJVN teams are working on the issue with an early resolution expected.
It may be recalled that in May 2019, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved investment for transmission component of Arun-3 hydropower Project (Nepal portion) for an estimated cost of Rs.1,236.13 crore.
The transmission line in question is the 400kV D/C Diding (in Nepal) – Bathnaha (international border) via Dhalkebar (in Nepal) power transmission line of approximately 217 km falling within the territory of Nepal to evacuate power from the 900-mw Arun-3 HEP in Nepal.
In May 2018, an MoU was signed with Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd for project management consultancy for execution of the 217-km transmission line. It is reliably learnt that KEC International has been entrusted with the tower package while GE T&D India is the substation package contractor. Apar Industries will supply the conductors.
Arun-3 HEP
The underlying Arun-3 hydropower project is also being developed by SJVN Ltd. The Central PSU bagged the project through international competitive bidding. An MoU was signed between Government of Nepal and SJVN for the project in March, 2008 for execution on Build Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis for a period of 30 years including five years of construction period. The project development agreement (PDA) signed in November, 2014, which provides 21.9 per cent free power to Nepal for the entire concession period of 25 years.
The Arun-3 hydropower project is located on Arun River in Sankhuwasabha district of Eastern Nepal. The run-of-river scheme envisages about 70m high concrete gravity dam and head race tunnel (HRT) of 11.74 km with underground powerhouse containing four generating units of 225-mw each on left bank.
Also read: SJVN Places Order For Dhaulasidh Hydropower Project Transmission Line
Note: This story is largely based on an investor conference recently held by SJVN, the transcript of which was filed on stock exchanges. Featured photograph shows a 220kV transmission line in Nepal and is for representation only.
