The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission vide order dated 25.04.2024 has granted transmission line to Butwal-Gorakhpur Cross Border Power Transmission Limited (‘BGCPTL’), a joint venture between Powergrid Corporation of India Limited (‘PGCIL’) and Nepal Electricity Authority (‘NEA’) for implementation of Indian Portion of New Butwal – Gorakhpur 400 kV Double Circuit Cross Border Interconnection Transmission line and associated work.
As of present, there is only one high-capacity Muzaffarpur (India) – Dhalkebar (Nepal) cross-border link between India and Nepal. In case of an outage of this existing transmission line, it was predicted that Nepal would face grid disturbances and even a blackout. To prevent such a situation, and to supply secure and reliable power to Nepal, a second high-capacity transmission line is required.
Importantly, BGCPTL has been formed after approval of the Ministry of Power and NITI Aayog and has been nominated by the Government authorities of both India and Nepal to implement the transmission Project.
The Central Commission was of the view that BGCPTL does not fulfil any of the eligibility conditions for the grant of a transmission licence, however, considering the importance of the Transmission Project in promoting the exchange of power between India and Nepal and the policy decision of the Government, exercised its Power to Relax and granted license to BGCPTL for implementation of Indian portion of New Butwal- Gorakhpur 400 kV Double Circuit Cross-border interconnection transmission line.
This Project will strengthen the already existing Transmission System between India and Nepal and also reduce the risk of any outage or blackout in Nepal. This project will also play a key role in enhancing the relations between both the countries.
