Flood-damaged Kabeli Corridor transmission line restored

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Nov. 6: The reconstruction of Kabeli Corridor 132 kV double-circuit transmission line, which was damaged by the flood of Mai Khola in Ilam, has been completed. 

On September 28, the flood that occurred in Mai Khola caused damage to four towers in Dhodrebensi located in Mai Municipality-1 and 7 of Ilam under Kabeli Corridor transmission line.

Nepal Electricity Authority and 20 private sector hydropower projects associated to the Kabeli Corridor transmission line have jointly reconstructed and brought it into reoperation from Monday, according to the NEA.

Mohan Karki, an energy entrepreneur who is involved in the reconstruction from the private sector, said that the work was completed and the transmission line was brought into operation within 19 days of the beginning of the work.

With the commissioning of the transmission line, the projects operating in Taplejung, Panchthar and Ilam have started generating electricity. 

After the towers collapsed, electricity generation from various projects was stopped from September 28, 2024.

The Authority and the private sector jointly advanced the reconstruction of transmission lines as a model. 

The Authority has provided materials, including transmission line spare parts. Private sector hydropower projects incurred the expenses, including labour costs. 

Each project has contributed a certain amount for this. The private sector had appointed a team under the leadership of Karki.

Towers No. 50, 51, 52 and 53 were damaged by the Mai Khola flood in the section from Godak in Ilam to Damak in Jhapa under the Kabeli Corridor transmission line.

From that place, the transmission line was made to cross the Mai Khola. The span of the transmission line at that place is 750 metres.

Out of the four towers, the flood completely damaged tower number 51 and 52. The tower was brought down by the flood. Another new tower has been built there, according to the NEA.

Towers 50 and 53 were partially damaged. The top structure of tower number 50 was damaged. The cross arm and top structure were damaged in tower number 53. Both towers were repaired. 

The reconstruction of the transmission line was fully supported by the representatives of the local levels.