Agreement Reached to Export 1,650 MW of Electricity via Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur Transmission Line

June 14, Kathmandu – The joint secretary-level Joint Steering Committee (JSC) between Nepal and India has agreed to increase the volume of electricity exported from Nepal to 1,650 megawatts through two cross-border transmission lines. The meeting held on Wednesday in Pokhara was led by Sarita Dawadi, Secretary of Nepal’s Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, alongside Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary of India’s Ministry of Power.

Currently, the operational 400 kV Dhalkebar–Muzaffarpur transmission line facilitates the import of 1,000 megawatts and the export of 1,100 megawatts of electricity. Based on studies conducted by the joint technical team of both countries, the meeting approved an agreement to enhance electricity export capacity using the Dhalkebar–Muzaffarpur and Dhalkebar–Sitamarhi 400 kV transmission lines.

The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation issued a statement confirming that the combined electricity flow capacity via these transmission lines will be raised from 1,000 MW to 1,400 MW for imports and from 1,100 MW to 1,650 MW for exports.

Prior to this senior-level meeting, on Tuesday in Pokhara, a joint secretary-level working group from both countries convened. The session was co-chaired by Sandeep Kumar Dev, Joint Secretary from Nepal’s ministry, and Pankaj Kumar, Joint Secretary from India’s Ministry of Power. The working group approved the detailed project report for the 229 kV double-circuit transmission line between Chamelia (Nepal) and Jauljibi (India), targeting completion by December 2028.

Further, both countries agreed to expedite the establishment of a joint venture company for the construction of cross-border 400 kV transmission lines at Inaruwa–New Purnia and Dododhara (New Lamki)–Bareilly. Nepal Electricity Authority and Power Grid Corporation of India have already finalized the Shareholders’ Agreement (SHA) and Joint Venture (JV) agreement for these projects.

According to Article 5 of the Nepal–India Electricity Trade Agreement signed in 2014, secretariat-level committees, the Joint Steering Committee, and the joint secretary-level working group have been formed to facilitate, guide, and monitor progress in implementing the agreement. It is agreed that meetings of these bodies will alternate between the two countries.