Kathmandu, April 22 – In a significant step towards bolstering energy cooperation between Nepal and India, India’s Minister of Power, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, is set to arrive in Nepal on a two-day official visit on Tuesday. The visit comes at the invitation of Nepal’s Minister of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka.
Minister Khattar’s itinerary includes the inauguration of critical energy infrastructure projects funded by the Government of India. On Tuesday afternoon, he will jointly inaugurate the 220 kV Inaruwa-Basantpur-Baneswar-Tumlingtar transmission line, along with the Tumlingtar, Baneswar, and Basantpur substations. The ceremony will be held at the Tumlingtar substation in Sankhuwasabha district.
The transmission line is expected to enhance the power distribution network and address energy demands in Nepal, marking a milestone in bilateral energy collaboration.
Later that day, Minister Khattar will visit the Arun III Hydropower Project, which is under construction with Indian investment. This project is anticipated to significantly boost Nepal’s energy production and economic development. Additionally, an agreement will be signed to establish a joint venture company for constructing a new cross-border transmission line.
In the presence of both ministers, the Nepal Electricity Authority and India’s Power Grid Corporation will sign a memorandum of understanding to construct two critical cross-border transmission lines: the 400 kV Dodhara-Bareilly line and the Inaruwa-Purnia line. These projects aim to strengthen cross-border energy trade and improve energy security in the region.
On Wednesday, Minister Khattar will visit the Muktinath Temple in Mustang, a revered religious site. He is also scheduled to hold courtesy meetings with Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and Deputy Prime Minister and Urban Development Minister Prakashman Singh. The discussions are expected to cover a range of bilateral issues, including urban development and energy cooperation.
Before concluding his visit, Minister Khattar will pay homage at the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu on Wednesday evening, further underscoring the cultural ties between the two nations.
This visit reflects the growing partnership between Nepal and India in energy and infrastructure development, paving the way for stronger economic and cultural bonds.
