The construction of 400 KV Lapsiphedi substation in Shankharapur Municipality-3 Bozhini of Kathmandu has gained momentum. The construction of the substation is being done with the goal of being completed within the next month (December 2025).

Lapsifedi substation of 400/220, 220/132 and 132/11 KV levels based on 'Gas Insulated Substation (GIS)' technology is under construction to bring the electricity of the hydroelectric projects built on Tamakoshi and Sunkoshi rivers and their tributaries to Kathmandu Valley and supply locally.

Despite local problems, the construction of the substation, which started a year ago, is currently in full phase. According to the Nepal Electricity Authority, Lapsiphedi substation under construction on about 172 ropani land is the biggest 'hub' for electricity supply in Kathmandu Valley. 

The locals were obstructing the construction of the substation, demanding that the substation should not be built in human settlements and that it should be moved to another place. During the acquisition of the land for the substation construction site, Bozhini was chosen as the best substation construction site among the available options after completing all the legal procedures including preliminary environmental assessment (IE) and supplementary IE. The substation is being constructed in response to the legitimate demands raised by the locals. 

Under the Khimti-Bahrbise-Lapsiphedi substation project, the construction of civil structures including the control room of the 400/220 KV Lapsiphedi substation, the building housing the GIS equipment has been completed by about 40 percent. About 80 percent of equipment such as power transformers, GIS, control panels, etc. in the substation have been supplied. Khimti and Bahrbise substations under the project are also under construction.

Under the Tamakoshi-Kathmandu transmission line project, the construction of civil structures of 220/132 and 132/11 kV level substations has been completed 50 percent. 98 percent of equipment has been supplied. After completion of construction of civil structures, installation of equipment in the substation will begin. Kulman Ghisingh, the executive director of the authority, while monitoring the substation construction site on Wednesday, instructed the project management and construction professionals to increase the manpower and complete the work within the stipulated time.

'There was some delay in the construction of the substation due to local problems. But the construction progress so far has been satisfactory," Ghising said. "We are addressing the legitimate demands of the local people, such as road repair and expansion, drinking water scheme, school building, playground, monastery construction, and employment for the local people under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) during the construction of the project." Under the Tamakoshi-Kathmandu 220/400 KV transmission line project, the 400 KV transmission line coming to Kathmandu from the new Khimti substation at Ramechhap through Bahrbise of Sindhupalchok will be connected to Lapsiphedi substation. The entire tower in the Khimti-Bahrbise section has been erected under the transmission line project. Only about three kilometers of wire are left to be pulled. 

Only 2 of the 122 towers on the Bahrbise-Lapsiphedi line section are left to be constructed. The said tower falls in Lapsiphedi area. About 42 km of wire has been stretched. Nitish Paudel, project head, said that the construction of the Tamakoshi-Kathmandu transmission line is underway with the goal of completion by March. Under the project, the construction of 220 kV substation has been completed in twelve months. 

The substation and transmission line are being constructed with the investment of Nepal government and authorities and subsidized loan flowed through Asian Development Bank (ADB)'s 'Electricity Transmission Expansion and System Improvement Project'. After the completion of the construction of the 400 KV transmission line constructed by the American aid project Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the electricity will be able to flow from Lapsiphedi to the new Butwal Substation located in Sunwal Municipality of Nawalparasi (Bardghat Susta West) via Ratamate in Nuwakot.