Indian Power Minister Khattar arrives in Kathmandu

Kathamdnu, Apr.22: Minister for Power and Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs of the Government of India Manohar Lal Khattar has arrived in Kathmandu on a two-day visit to Nepal. 

He is visiting Nepal at the invitation of Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation  Dipak Khadka.

During his visit to India on February 12, 2025, Minister Khadka had extended an invitation to Indian Power Minister Khattar to visit Nepal. 

Minister Khattar is coming to Nepal for a two-day visit on Tuesday, said Sandip Kumar Dev, spokesperson for the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.

Minister Khattar is scheduled to inspect the Arun-3 Hydropower Project being constructed by the SJVN Arun-3 Power Development Company (SAPDC), which is owned by the Indian company Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN).

The Indian Minister will inspect the power house and dam area of ​​the Arun-3 Hydropower Project, said spokesperson Dev. Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Khadka will also visit Arun-3.  SJVN is currently constructing 900 MW Arun-3 Hydropower Project in Sankhuwasabh district. Most of the structural work of the project has reached the final stage. The company is working with the aim of completing the project quickly. Similarly, SJVN's subsidiary SAPDC is constructing the 669 MW Lower Arun Hydropower Project as well.

Similarly, Minister Khadka and Indian Minister Khattar will jointly inaugurate the Inaruwa-Basantapur-Baneshwor-Tumlingtar 200 kV transmission line and 220/133/33 kV Tumlingtar substation, 220/33 kV Baneshwor substation and 220/133/33 kV Basantapur substation under the Koshi Corridor 220 kV transmission line, which were completed with the assistance of the government of India, at Tumlingtar in Sankhuwasabha. 

The ministry has stated that both the ministers will also sign an agreement on the transmission line to be built with joint investment by the two countries and take forward the construction process. Khattar is scheduled to discuss Indian investment in other hydropower projects as well as new projects with Minister Khadka.

Minister Khattar will also visit Muktinath Temple in Mustang on April 23.

According to the Ministry, the visiting Indian Minister is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister K.P Sharma Oli and Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers.