KATHMANDU- The Millennium Challenges Account Nepal Development Committee (MCA-Nepal) has contracted an Indian company for the construction of 400KV substation at Damauli, Tanahu.

The Techno Electric and Engineering Ltd was contracted for the undertaking at the cost of 38.89 million US dollars. With this, contracts for all three substations of 400 KV each have been made under the MCC Nepal Compact.  

Executive Director at MCA-Nepal, Khadga Bahadur Bista, and Trade Director of Techno Electric and Engineering Ltd, Rajiv Agrawal, signed the contract amidst a function attended by Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, and the US Ambassador to Nepal, Dean Thompson, in Kathmandu on Wednesday.     

Addressing the programme, Energy Minister Khadka viewed the contract for the construction of the substation would reinforce the electricity distribution system, thereby paving a way for the economic prosperity of the country. Contracts for all three substations are made. He called on all stakeholders concerned to make rigorous efforts for the timely completion of the project.     

Chair of the MCA-Nepal Board of Directors and Secretary at Finance Ministry, Dr Ram Prasad Ghimire, said, “It is good progress that MCA Nepal made for the enforcement of the MCC-Nepal compact. These three substations are significant for expanding the energy regime of Nepal, which would be a backbone of economic developments.”     

Ghimire further observed that the construction of the substations would not only spur industrial and trade activities but also contribute to sustainable power supply.     

Similarly, Ambassador Thompson said, “I highly appreciate the roles of all- Nepal government, Finance Ministry, Energy Ministry, NEA, and MCA-Nepal- for the collaborative approach to ensure progress in the project which helps build prosperous future of the Nepalis.”     

The MCC-Nepal Compact is a strong support for ensuring electricity to every house via inclusive and sustainable economic development, contributing additional power to national economy, and creating jobs and reducing poverty, according to Thompson.     

Moreover, Executive Director Bista said it was a milestone to complete signing of three substations to be developed under the project within a year of the project in effect.     

With the completion of the present Damauli substation, it will be a vital infrastructure for the transmission of electricity from Ratmate, Lekhnath and New Butwal Substation.     

The MCC-Nepal Compact has been extending financial support to build three substations under the project to ensure power supply in the 314-km distance that reaches the border to India- from Lapsephedi of Kathmandu to Bardaghat Susta, Nawalparasi.

@(RSS)