First trilateral power transaction from Nepal to Bangladesh via India

New Delhi: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and his counterpart Narendra Modi has signed various power-related agreements.

The Ministry of External Affairs of India, after the meeting between PM Dahal and Modi, highlighted the major agreements relating to the power.

India has agreed to permit the first trilateral power transaction, from Nepal to Bangladesh via. India for about 40 megawatts of power.

During the talk today, the two prime ministers also appreciated the growth in the power sector cooperation. And also the export of over 450 megawatts from Nepal to India.

Modi announced the target to increase the quantum of export of power as an objective from Nepal to India to 10, 000 megawatts within the next 10 years. NHPC of India and the Nepal government’s entity, Vidhyut Utpadan Company Limited (VUCL), signed an MOU for the development of 480 megawatts for the Phukot Karnali Hydropower project in Western Nepal.

The two prime ministers also agreed upon the development agreement for the 679 megawatts Lower Arun project. India’s Sutlej Jal Bidhyut Nigam has agreed upon constructing the project.

There were also discussion regarding the achievements regarding power transmissions. The two prime ministers participated in the groundbreaking of the 400KV  Gorakhpur-Butwal transmission line. This is the second high capacity interconnection between the two countries.

India has also decided to fund three major transmission corridors in Nepal under the line of credit support of about 680 million dollars. These are the Bheri corridors, Nijgadh–Inaruwa Corridor, and Gandaki-Nepalgunj Corridor.

The two prime ministers also expressed their commitment to achieving tangible and time-bound on the Pancheswor Multipurpose project.