Chautara-Sindhupalchok 33 kV Sub Transmission Line

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Project Background

Chautara-Sindhupalchok 33 kV Substation Project lies in the Sindhupalchowk District, Bagmati

Zone of central Nepal. The main objective of the project is to construct 6/8 MVA, 33/11 kV
substation at Chautara. The proposed substation at Chautara will be charged from 33 kV
substation at Lamosanghu. The total line length from the Chautara Substation to Lamosanghu is
around 17 kilometers. From the newly constructed substation, 4 nos. of 11 kV feeders will be
out to supply the customer at Chautara and vicinity areas. At present the only one feeder from
Lamosanghu to Chautara serves the customers of Khadi Chaur, Kothe, Balefi, Simle, Tipling,
Simpani, Kubhinde, Sukute, Kalika, Thokarpa, Wafal, Syanle Besi and Bekh Simle of Kavre
Districts. The same feeder supplies power to the Jalvire, Chelang, Pangtang, Syaule, Simpal of
Kavre Districts areas.

Nepal possess tremendous amount of hydropower potentials, which has to be exploited for the
economic growth of the country. The other objective of the project is to evacuate around 5 MW
power produced from Independent Power Producer (IPP's). Partly of the Power generated from
IPP's will be supplied to the local consumer at the Chautara and its vicinity areas and rest power
will be evacuated to the Lamosangu sub station through newly constructed 33 kV Transmission
line.

The main objectives of the project is to construct the 6/8 MVA, 33/11 kV Substation at the
Chautara to reduce the under voltage problem of the Chautara Feeder, by reinforcing the
Distribution System Network. The project will also assist to reduce chances of interruption of the
feeder and the revenue loss associated with the 2/3 of the total customer, due to fault and
maintenance works carried out under the feeder. After the successful construction of the project,
following achievements will be made as listed below:

 To reduce the chances of less feeder interruption and revenue loss associated with
it.
 To improve the quality of the voltage level of the local feeders supplied from the
proposed S/s at chautara and its vicinity areas.

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 To reinforce the Distribution System.

 To reduce the feeder loss.
 To supply the quality and reliable Electricity.

Types of customer supplied from the 11 kV feeders will be :

- Domestic
- Non-Commercial
- Commercial
- Industrial
- Water Supply
- Irrigation
- Street Light
- Temporary supply
- Transport
- Temple

Cost Estimate to complete 33 kV Transmission line is Rs. 2,70,00000.00 (including survey and
IEE) and the Total Duration for line construction is estimated as 20 months.

1.2 Project Salient Features

General Salient features of the proposed Chautara-Sindhupalchok 33 kV Sub Transmission Line are
presented below:

Table: 1, General Salient Features

S.No. Features Description

1. Development Region Central Region

2. Zone Bagmati

3. District/Municipality/VDC Sindhupalchok/Chautara Municipality/Kubhiunde-DVC,Irkhu Irkhu

VDC, Kadambas-VDC, Phulping Danda-VDC, Mankha VDC, ngretar
Pangretar VDC

4. Purpose of the Proposed Transmis- Upgrading the supply system Voltage and increase reliability

sion Line

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5. System Nominal Voltage 33 kV

6. No. of Circuit Single

7. Power Carrying Capacity 12.8 MW

8. Right of Way 4 m (2 m either side from center line)

9. System Nominal Frequency 50 HZ

10. Total Line Length around 17

11. Conductor Type ACSR

12. No. of major road/high way crossings3

13. Number of major river crossing 2

14. Number of Pole 300

15. Type of Pole Steel Telescopic Tubular pole

16. Pole height 11 m

17. Minimum ground clearance 6.1 m

18. Average Span 50

19. Substation Chautara 6/8 MVA,33/11 kV Substation

1.3 Objective and Scope of Works

The main objective of the study is to determine the suitable, less affected alignment and conduct
detailed survey from purposed Chautara 33 kV sub-station at Chautara Municipality Ward no: 5
(Then Kubhinde VDC )of Sindhupalchok district to existing Lamosanghu Substation, Pangretar
VDC of Sindhupalchok district on the basis of desk study and reconnaissance survey. The final
output of this work shall guide the construction of above mentioned transmission line. This
detailed report shall also assist to prepare necessary documents for acquiring Survey License,
construction license, conducting IEE and Other.

2.0 METHODOLOGY FOR DETAIL STUDY REPORT

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2.1 Basic Approach

The basic approach to the Detailed Survey consists of the collection of basic data and fixing the
route alignment.
The basic data collection includes:
 Latest edition of topographical maps prepared by NG/ Topographical Survey Branch in
1:50, 000 & 1:25, 000 scales
 Digital maps of the area.

2.2 Desk Study

Desk study is the very first phase of the design of the transmission line. In the study, the
topography of the region along the line is studied by the topographical maps of the region (scale
of 1:50, 000 & 1:25, 000) and prepared by Survey department, which is also used as the national
based map. After studying the proposed sub-station and the target location, the possible route
alignment is generated in the map considering the basic parameters as described herein. During
this desk study the following consideration has been taken:
 Allowing the minimum number of river crossing, national highways, and overhead power
line and telecommunication lines.
 Avoid settlement areas, narrow gap between two villages and places of worships.
 Avoid close vicinity of radio stations, radar centers, and aerodromes.
 Avoid forest crossing keeping in mind to protect forest and wildlife sanctuaries.
 Keep sufficient clearance from the telecommunication lines.
 Running the line from the possible future load centers to facilitate tapping when required.
2.3 Field Reconnaissance Survey

The reconnaissance study will be carried out by visiting the respective sites with a team of
experts for main and alternative options to verify the feasibility of the recommended option. The
team will be led by Transmission line engineer and will be followed by senior surveyor and
engineers.
After making the feasible route on the maps, comparative study will be made on the basis of the
following guidelines:

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 Total length of the line

 Number of houses affected and crossing of highway and densely populated area.
 Number and type of the angle points and the sharpen measured in the maps.
 Reaches through protected or reserved forest.
 Nature and number of river crossing.
 Close parallelism with telecommunication line.

Keeping the consideration on the above norms, a reconnaissance survey shall be carried out on
the routes to arrive at the less affected and economic route and to update the most recent
topographic map with new developments at the sites.

A proposal shall be made for obtaining the necessary approval from the concerned authorities to
carry out the detailed route survey.

2.4 Detailed Survey

The main objective of the detailed survey is to carryout the survey works and to transfer the
selected route in the field with some deviations which may be necessary due to the field
constraints.

Team of the project led by Team coordinator and assisted by Surveyor will carry out the detailed
survey work of this route.

The following points should be kept in mind during this task:

 It should be ensured that there are enough corridors for the future in the approach section
near the terminals so as to avoid interconnection later on.
 Keeping the number of angle points minimum.
 At the angle positions keeping the angle of deviation slightly less than any angle Pole
design for the maximum value.
 All the obligatory points such as power line, major obstruction and any other permanent
structures observed.

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2.5 Plan and Profile Generation

All the survey data will be computed in the field as well as in the Kathmandu office. Similarly,
some field data will be evaluated and northing, easting and elevation of each spot height will be
calculated with respect to given control points. Finally, a plan and profile of the entire alignment
will be prepared with all the relevant details within 50 meters corridor in required scales.

3.0 DESK STUDY

3.1 Objective of the Study

The study aims to have detail survey of 33 kV sub transmission line from Chautara to
Lamosanghu. The scope of services shall be limited to detailed survey of Chautara to
Lamosanghu hub section consisting of approximately line length of 17 km in Sindhupalchok
districts of Nepal which passes mainly through road area.
The scope of services consists of the following:

 To carryout reconnaissance survey along the Surveyed alignment in the desk study
reports.

 Conduct detail survey along the reconnaissance route alignment.

 Draw plan and profile of the final route alignment covering areas lying within its 4 m
right of way on either side.
 Prepare report of the study, including drawings in required scale for tower spotting.

The output of SERVICE for the said project, as stated in the proposal shall be as follows:

a) Desk Study Report,

b) Field Reconnaissance Report,
c) Draft Report, and
d) Final Report.

3.2 Data Collection

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The following maps were collected to carryout desk study:

 District map of Sindhupalchok district.
Relevant topographical maps of scale 1:50,000-2 nos & 1:25,000-1 nos. along the route of study
were obtained from GoN Department of Survey. Careful study of the alignment in these maps for
route and areas to be surveyed are being marked. During the marking of the survey areas,
necessary precautionary measures are being taken to minimize effect on the settlement areas.
Due consideration are also being given to river crossing, forest encroachment, highway crossing,
transmission line crossing etc. along the proposed transmission line route. These maps study
were also based on the latest Transport Infrastructure Maps prepared by Ministry of Local
Development. These maps consist of all feeder roads proposed and constructed with hilly regions
by year 1998 and reprinted at 2006.

Three sheets of topographical maps were collected and studied during the desk study phase. The
Sheet numbers are:

2785 03D (1:25000)

2785 04 (1:50000)
2785 08 (1:50000)

On the basis of the above-mentioned topographical maps, a base-map for the study of transmission
line route with previous surveyed line beings prepared which shall be updated after field walk over
and reconnaissance survey.

The team members were comprised of senior surveyor, Civil Engineer/Electrical Engineer and
Environmentalist/Sociologist. The team was lead by surveyor. Team members also comprised
from the Planning and Technical Services Department & Project Development Department of
Nepal Electricity Authority.

The study area of the route alignment starts from Proposed sub-station of Chautara at Kubhinde-
Chautara Municipality, Ward No. 5 of Sindhupalchok district. It is situated along the 25 feet gravel
road connecting the Jalbire-Chautara, a land owned by Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).
Altitude of the center of the proposed area is 1130 m. The proposed sub-station area is 3 layer hilly
land used for cultivation.

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The total line length of the section is about 17 km and The route falls on the hilly road mostly
except 3.5 km of community forest area. Right of way for the selected alignment is 4 m (2m either
side from centerline). The elevation of the line routes ranges from 1130 m. msl to lowest 1000 m.
msl.

3.3 Route Selection Criteria

For the selection of proposed transmission line route, a basic set of criteria was defined at the
outset of the study. The criteria are listed below:

 The route alignment would, as far as practicable, be kept straight and short;
 As far as possible, the following areas would be avoided:

i. Heavy forest areas or expensive right of way;

ii. Buildings of all kinds;
iii. Swampy areas;
iv. Main road crossing;
v. Highly productive land and difficult terrain;

 Situation calling for abnormally long spans and high deviation angle would be avoided;
 Poles would be located on geologically stable ground;
 The number of angle points along the route would be kept to a minimum;
 The route would be conveniently accessible for construction, operation and maintenance
work;
 Potentially adverse environmental impacts due to the proposed transmission line would
be kept to a minimum.
It is worth mentioning that neither were these criteria assigned any order of priority nor were
they expected to be incorporated in totality in the field. The selected alignment, in effect, would
be a trade-off between these idealized criteria and the actual site conditions with due
consideration for technical and economic aspects.

3.4 Map Study and Selection of Alignment

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Detail and careful study of the possible route is plotted in the map. On the basis of map studies,
the routes shown in Annex-A were selected. This route is listed in Table 3.

Table 2: Route selected during desk study

S. No. Route Approximate Length (km)

Chautara Municipality Ward no. 5, 6, Kubhinde, Deurali-

Golma-Talchaur-Simpani-Simle-Balefi-Kothe-Andheri-
1 17
Khadichaur,Lamosangu

3.5 ALTERNATIVES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROPOSAL

The TL project alternatives ranging from 11 kV, 132-400 kV exist. The alternative analyses were
considered based on schedule 3 of EPR 197. The alternatives discussed for the transmission line
project is mainly concentrated on project location, site selection, design alternatives,
technologies, implementation procedure and time schedule, and development of small
transmission line project and so nothing scenario. In the section, an attempt is made to evaluate
the various available alternatives of the proposed project in the environmental perspective.

3.5.1 Alternative sites

In Desk study, three alternate sites were proposed for the transmission routes and this route was
selected for the construction purpose considering length, number of poles, topography and
geology. The technically and environmentally sound route is selected based on the following
analysis:
o Easy access for construction and maintenance works
o Minimum adverse impacts on the environment & avoid unstable locations
o Minimum loss of forest

Alternative route-1:- This route passes through Kubhinde (Baspati ward no. 6-Chautara
Municipality) – Golma –Kubhinde – Adhamara – Binjel –Khadichaur – Lamusanghu (Pangretar
VDC). The line length of the route will be approx.14 km.
Advantage:
• Short route(13.5 km)
• Nominal forest area
• More private land. However, there is no compensation provision for 33 kV Transmission Line.

Dis-advantages:
• Mostly part of the route covers private cultivated land so more chance of social disputes.
• Less accessible so not easy for maintenance works
• This rout passes through few places where there are congested human settlements.
• No extra load centers along the route because of lack of roads

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Alternative route-2 :- This alternate 2 passes through Kubhinde (Baspati ward no. 6-Chautara
Municipality) – Deurali – Baundanda – Kamidanda - Simpani Dada – Bhasmebhir (Irkhu VDC –
7) – Simle (Kadambas VDC-1) – Lapse –Balefi – Kothe – Andheri –Khadichaur – Lamusanghu.

Advantage:
• It passes through the existing road so easy for maintenance works and easy for RoW
• Less forest area but more than Alternate-1
• Less private land. Since, there is no compensation provision for 33 kV Transmission Line.
• Balefi may be emerged as a load center in future so the line passes through Balefi
• Avoid major human settlements as far as possible.

Dis-advantages:
• This TL route is long the Alternate-1 (14.6 km)

Therefore, present route (Alternate-Route-3) is chosen for TL route. The selected route starts
from proposed Chautara substation at Kubhinde, Chautara Municipality of Sindupalchok district.
The line passes Chautara Municipality Ward no. 5, 6, Kubhinde, Deurali-Simpani-Simle-Balefi-
Kothe-Andheri-Khadichaur,Lamosangu.

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3.5.2 Technology, Design and Layout

International Standard technology will be applied for the installation and procurement of the
goods and the equipment to ensure the minimum environmental impacts on the project area.
Labour based technology will be adopted during project construction. These technologies will
emphasise on utilizing locally available materials. There are a number of transmission line
powers such as 11 kV, 132/220 kV, etc. Since the power carrying is small and 33 kV T/L is
enough. 33 kV T/L acquires minimum right of way whereas 132 kV T/L acquires 9 m right of
way on each sides. From the economic and technologies point of view, development of such
project is most feasible and appropriate for such hydropower.

3.5.3 Time Schedules and Procedure

While considering the time schedule, necessary sequencing of civil construction activity and
installation of electro-mechanical activity during the construction work will be done. Other
factors which need to be included are consideration of the optimal timing for making access to
the project pole site, and clearance of land for construction sites.

3.5.4 No Project Option

This alternative will prevent the implementation of the project and therefore will forfeit the
beneficial impacts identified in chapter 5 of this document. This proposal aims to link the
substation constructed by NEA in order to minimize the load shedding. The implementation of
proposed project will ensure electrification program around the area. This will likely increase
electricity and it will enhance in increasing socio-economic conditions of the local people
through establishing small and large factories, employment opportunities and income generation
activities. There will also be possibilities of establishment of small – medium scale industries.
Small area of forest does fall on direct project zone. Unstable slopes will be further stabilized as
part of construction. The no action option will prevent some of the environmental adverse
impacts at the cost of isolation.

3.6 General Features of the Routes

The Table 7 given below shows the comparison of three possible route alignments and recommends for
the best one. However, the best route shall be finalized after doing the reconnaissance survey.

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Table 3
Comparison of the Possible Routes
SN Items Route-1 Route-2 Route-3
1 Total Length in Km around 15 13 around 17
2 Access Facility More
Less accessible Partly accessible
accessible
3 Crossing of Existing Lines
4 Crossings of River/Streams/Nala 2 2 2
5 No. of VDCs 6 5 6
6 No. of Settlements Crossings 0 0 0
7 Marshy and Unstable Area
8 No. of Road/Highway Crossings 2 2 2
9 Forest area in length - - -
10 Environmental Impacts
11 Advantages More road
crossings, no More road
forest area but, crossings, only
More road
since line 3.5 km line passes
crossings, only
passes through through forest
7 km line passes
settlement area area, line avoids
through forest
near Simpani settlement area
area, line avoids
there is near Simpani so
settlement area
possibility of there is less
etc
disputes at possibility of
different places disputes etc
etc
12 Disadvantages around 1.5 km
more chances line length less
line length
of Disputes than other.
increases.
Order of Priority II III I

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4.0 RECOMMENDED ALIGNMENT

From the map study, certain difficulties were observed along the Route-1. Primary difficulties
among those are the following:

i. The access road is quite far for most of the section of the route alignment.
ii. There are more number of angle points with longer transmission line length in this
alignment.
iii. There are three major Settlement crossings in the routes.
iv. The line also crosses lots of road crossings in the route.
v. there are more chances of disputes at Simpani near Kubhinde VDC.

Similarly there are also some difficulties in the Main Route. Primary difficulties among those are
the following:

i. The line passes over 3.5 km of forest area.

ii. There are more number of angle points with longest transmission line length in this
alignment.

Based on the exercise carried out in this study and comparison made within the identified route,
it is fair to recommend that the Main route is best route with some modifications. It appears to be
more suitable as it satisfied most of the selected criteria listed above. As a result, modified
versions of these routes were selected for the reconnaissance survey and detailed survey.
However, this needed to be verified during the reconnaissance.

5.0 ANNEXES

5.1 Project Location Map & Route Alignment Map

5.2 Table 4: 33 kV Transmission Line Survey & IEE Cost & TL Construction Cost
5.3 Table 5: 33 kV Transmission Line Survey Schedule
5.4 Table 6: Project Construction Schedule

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5.0 ANNEXES

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5.1 Project Location Map &Route Alignmen Map

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Figure : Location Maps

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5.2 Table 4: 33 kV Transmission Line Survey & IEE Cost &

Construction Cost

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5.3 Table 5: 33 kV Transmission Line Survey Schedule

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5.4 Table 6: Project Construction Schedule

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