Kathmandu, Nov. 27
Millennium Challenge Account Nepal (MCA-Nepal) has
relaunched the call for bids to construct a 297 km power transmission line
which is divided into three lots: Lapsiphedi-Ratmate-New
Hetauda, Ratmate-New Damauli, and New Damauli-New Butwal.
Issuing a press statement on Wednesday, the MCA-Nepal
said that the transmission line to be built under the Millennium Challenge
Corporation (MCC) Nepal Compact would strengthen Nepal’s power transmission network.
The bid submission deadline is set for January 30, 2025.
"The relaunch follows a comprehensive review of
the previous bidding process and includes design optimisations, improved access
to tower locations, and updates to commercial terms based on bidders’
feedback," informed the MCA-Nepal.
According to
it, these adjustments address the main cost drivers identified in the initial
bids, ensuring more feasible and cost-effective proposals.
On August 30 this year, MCA-Nepal successfully awarded
a US$ 12.36 million contract to Transrail Lighting Ltd. to construct the 18-km
Nepal portion of the Butwal-Gorakhpur transmission line, which is expected to be
completed within 21 months.
“After securing the contract for the 18-km segment, we
are confident the redesigned requirements for the remaining 297-km will attract
strong market interest and competitive bids,” said Khadga Bahadur Bisht,
Executive Director of MCA-Nepal.
With contractors already working on the three 400 kV
substations and the 18-km transmission lines, MCA-Nepal is on track to
implement the remaining segments, further strengthening Nepal’s energy
infrastructure, read the statement.
The Government of Nepal
and MCC signed the MCC Nepal Compact on September 14, 2017, incorporating two
projects: the Electricity Transmission Project and the Road Maintenance
Project, aimed at providing more reliable electricity and cost-effective
transportation in Nepal.
Along with the three substations, the MCC Nepal Compact
will fund the construction of up to 315 km of transmission line from
Lapsiphedi, Kathmandu, to the Nepal-India border in Nawalparasi (Bardaghat
Susta West) under the Electricity Transmission Project.
The projects are co-funded by the US Government’s MCC Compact grant of USD
500 million and the Government of Nepal's contribution of USD 197 million.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 28 November 2024.
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