Kathmandu [Nepal], April 22 (ANI): Indian Minister of Power and Housing Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, visited the Arun-III Hydel Project, which is being constructed with Indian assistance, during his official trip to Nepal.

On the first day of his visit, Minister Khattar flew to the Sankhuwasabha district, where the project is being undertaken along with his Nepali counterpart, Dipak Khadka, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.

'Shri Manohar Lal @mlkhattar, Hon'ble Minister of Power and Housing Affairs and Mr. Dipak Khadka @DKhadka1975, Hon'ble Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation of Nepal, jointly visited the 900 MW Arun-3 hydropower project being developed by @SjvnLimited. They reviewed progress, discussed ways to resolve bottlenecks and launched electromechanical works at the powerhouse,' the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu announced in a tweet.

Khattar arrived in Kathmandu at the invitation of the Nepali Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation- Dipak Khadka. During his visit to India on February 12, 2025, Minister Khadka extended an invitation to Indian Power Minister Khattar to visit Nepal.

Minister Khattar is scheduled to inspect the Arun-3 Hydropower Project being constructed by the SJVN Arun-3 Power Development Company (SAPDC), which is owned by the Indian company Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN).

The Indian Minister will inspect the power house and dam area of the Arun-3 Hydropower Project. Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Khadka will also visit Arun-3. SJVN is currently constructing the 900 MW Arun-3 Hydropower Project in Sankhuwasabh district.

Most of the structural work of the project has reached the final stage. The company is working with the aim of completing the project quickly. Similarly, SJVN's subsidiary SAPDC is constructing the 669 MW Lower Arun Hydropower Project as well.

Similarly, Minister Khadka and Indian Minister Khattar will jointly inaugurate the Inaruwa-Basantapur-Baneshwor-Tumlingtar 200 kV transmission line and 220/133/33 kV Tumlingtar substation, 220/33 kV Baneshwor substation and 220/133/33 kV Basantapur substation under the Koshi Corridor 220 kV transmission line, which were completed with the assistance of the government of India, at Tumlingtar in Sankhuwasabha.

Both the ministers will also sign an agreement on the transmission line to be built with joint investment by the two countries and take forward the construction process. Khattar is scheduled to discuss Indian investment in other hydropower projects as well as new projects with Minister Khadka.

On April 23, Minister Khattar is scheduled to visit the sacred Muktinath Temple in Mustang. He will also pay courtesy calls on Nepal's Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, as well as Deputy Prime Ministers and other senior ministers. (ANI)