Nepal and India have reached an agreement to enhance the electricity exchange volume between the two nations via two cross-border transmission line projects. The decision was made during the 13th meeting of the Nepal–India Joint Steering Committee (JSC) held in Pokhara, Nepal. The agreement allows Nepal to export up to 1,650 MW of electricity to India and import up to 1,400 MW through two 400 kV cross-border transmission lines connecting the countries.
The two designated transmission lines for power transfer are the Dhalkebar–Muzaffarpur and Dhalkebar–Sitamarhi 400 kV cross-border transmission lines. The Dhalkebar–Muzaffarpur line has been operational since 2016, while the Dhalkebar–Sitamarhi line project is close to completion, as per Nepal’s Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation.
SJVN Arun-3 Power Development Company, a venture by India’s SJVN Limited for the 900 MW Arun III Hydropower Project in eastern Nepal, is overseeing the construction of the Dhalkebar–Sitamarhi transmission line. The previous agreement allowed Nepal to export up to 1,100 MW of electricity to India and import up to 1,000 MW through the Dhalkebar–Muzaffarpur line.
The meeting of the JSC, co-chaired by officials from both countries, also focused on expediting work on new high-capacity cross-border transmission line projects. They approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Chameliya (Nepal)–Jauljibi (India) 220 kV double-circuit transmission line, aiming for completion by December 2028.
