India, Nepal Agree to Form Joint Task Force on Building Hydropower Project

India and Nepal agreed to form a joint task group to look into a proposal to build a hydroelectric project using funds from both nations. According to authorities from the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, the agreement was made at the 9th meeting of the Nepal-India Energy Secretary-Level Joint Steering Committee in Kathmandu. Mr. Chiranjivi Chataut, joint secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation said that, Issues such as existing transmission lines between the two countries, under-construction and proposed interstate transmission lines, the Arun III hydropower and transmission line, and interstate power trade were discussed.

Both sides agreed to expand the capacity of energy imported and exported via the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur interstate 400 KV transmission line. The transmission line for 400 kV will be 140 kilometres long (20 kilometres in Nepali territory and the remaining 120 in Indian territory). According to the agreement, the Nepalese government is responsible for managing the budget for the project’s construction.

The proposal by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to export electricity to India has been welcomed by India. According to sources, the NEA has asked India to approve a proposal to export 850 megawatts of electricity to India before the monsoon season begins.