KATHMANDU, Aug 10: The Millennium Challenge Account Nepal Development Committee (MCA-Nepal) has embarked on the crucial phase of land acquisition in the Sindhupalchowk region to pave the way for the construction of a vital transmission line.
This significant undertaking involves the acquisition of land necessary for the establishment of a 400-kilovolt transmission line stretching from the Rateymate substation to the Lapsifedi substation. The MCA-Nepal, in coordination with local authorities, is working to secure the required land from private landowners, with a total of 29 individuals from Wards 1, 3, and 4 in Melamchi Municipality being involved.
In an official announcement on Thursday, the Sindhupalchowk District Administration Office issued a public notice, inviting affected landowners to submit formal applications within a stipulated 21-day period. The notice clearly outlines that in addition to land, structures such as houses, sheds, terraces, and trees will also be subject to permanent acquisition.
Land acquisition underway in Dhading for US-Funded MCC Project
Should any legitimate reasons arise for opposing the land acquisition, individuals are granted the right to file complaints with the Ministry of Home Affairs within a seven-day window. Additionally, starting from the issuance of the notice, all construction activities in the designated area are temporarily suspended until further notice.
Recently, a similar land acquisition notice was issued for the Chitwan and Nawalparasi regions (East of Bardaghat Susta). These projects, operating under the MCC Compact, are scheduled to commence construction in August. The compact's provisions dictate a completion timeline of five years from the initiation of construction.
However, concerns have been raised due to the apparent lack of adequate preparatory measures before the imminent construction phase. There is apprehension that meeting the project's completion deadline might prove challenging. Failure to adhere to the five-year timeline could result in the withdrawal of the compact, compelling the government to allocate internal resources for the project's culmination.
Under the ambit of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the comprehensive development plan encompasses the expansion of 71 kilometers of roadways and the installation of a 315-kilometer, 400-kilovolt transmission line. Land acquisition will be necessary across 10 districts to facilitate the construction of the transmission line. This intricate network will traverse through the regions of Kathmandu, Sindhupalchok, Nuwakot, Dhading, Makwanpur, Chitwan, Tanahun, Palpa, Nawalpur, and Parasi. A dual-circuit, 400-kilovolt transmission line, once operational, is poised to handle electricity transmission up to a capacity of 3,000 megawatts. This initiative will mark the second inland transmission line after Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur to become operational and is projected to play a pivotal role in augmenting the electricity trading volume between Nepal and India.
