The construction of a 400 kV Lapsiphedi Substation is underway in Bozini, Shankharapur Municipality-3, in eastern Kathmandu. The substation, designed for 400/220 kV, 220/132 kV, and 132/11 kV levels, aims to transmit electricity from hydroelectric projects on the Tamakoshi and Sunkoshi rivers and their tributaries to the Kathmandu Valley. The project is scheduled for completion by March 2026.
Despite initial local opposition, construction, which began about a year ago, is progressing steadily. Built on approximately 172 ropanis of land, the Lapsiphedi Substation is set to become the largest electricity supply hub in Kathmandu Valley. Some locals had obstructed the project, arguing that the substation should not be built in a residential area. However, landowners had already received compensation, and all legal procedures—including the Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) and Supplementary IEE—were completed before selecting Bozhini as the most suitable location.
Under the Khimti-Barhabise-Lapsiphedi Substation Project, nearly 40 percent of the civil structures, including the control room and GIS equipment building of the 400/220 kV Lapsiphedi Substation, have been completed. About 80 percent of the equipment supply—including power transformers, GIS, and control panels—has also been finalized. Meanwhile, the Khimti and Barhabise substations under the same project are also under construction.
Similarly, under the Tamakoshi-Kathmandu Transmission Line Project, 50 percent of the civil structures for the 220/132 kV and 132/11 kV substations have been completed, while 98 percent of the equipment has been supplied. Once the civil works are finished, equipment installation at the substations will commence.
During a site inspection on Wednesday, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Executive Director Kulman Ghising urged project managers and contractors to deploy additional manpower to ensure timely completion. “While local issues initially caused delays, overall progress has been satisfactory,” he said. “We are committed to addressing legitimate local concerns by investing in road repairs, drinking water facilities, school buildings, playgrounds, monasteries, and employment opportunities under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).”
As part of the Tamakoshi-Kathmandu 220/400 kV Transmission Line Project, a 400 kV transmission line will connect the new Khimti Substation in Ramechhap to Kathmandu via Barhabise in Sindhupalchowk. All towers in the Khimti-Barhabise section have been erected, with only three kilometers of wire left to be installed.
In the Barhabise-Lapsiphedi section, 120 out of 122 towers have been completed, and about 42 kilometers of wire have been laid. Project Chief Nitish Poudel stated that the goal is to complete the Tamakoshi-Kathmandu transmission line by March 2026. The 220 kV substation in Barhabise has already been completed.
The substations and transmission lines are being built with funding from the Government of Nepal, NEA, and a concessional loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under the ‘Power Transmission Expansion and System Improvement Project’.
The construction of the Lapsiphedi-Changunarayan 132 kV transmission line, intended to supply electricity from Lapsiphedi to Kathmandu Valley, remains stalled due to landowner opposition. For the past seven years, construction has been blocked due to disputes over the right-of-way for transmission lines.
Although the 132 kV Changunarayan Substation has been completed, it remains non-operational due to the lack of a power supply. Once operational, it will provide reliable and high-quality electricity to eastern Kathmandu, which currently depends on supply from the Chabahil Substation.
