The Millennium Challenge Account Nepal Development Committee (MCA Nepal) has also stepped up its work as the US government decided to continue the program in Nepal under the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). At the same time, MCA Nepal has signed an agreement for the construction of Ratmate-New Damauli transmission line and New Damauli-New Butwal transmission line.

MCA Nepal has signed a transmission line construction contract worth 154 million US dollars (21 billion 63 million rupees). An agreement was signed between MCA Nepal and the construction side at a program held in Kathmandu on Thursday. 

After the successful completion of the foreign aid review by the United States government, MCC's Nepal Compact has been reactivated with new energy and the joint commitment of both governments. According to this, MCA Nepal has signed two major agreements on Thursday while moving forward with the compact power transmission project, which is run by the joint investment of the Government of Nepal and the United States of America. According to MCA Nepal, this is an important achievement for the transformational infrastructure construction projects being conducted in Nepal. 

The MCC program, which was stopped by the directive of US President Donald Trump, was allowed to continue in the third week of this July. The US Embassy in Nepal formally informed the Ministry of Finance that the US government has decided to continue the program. "The US government's foreign aid review has recommended continuing the implementation of the MCC Nepal agreement, we have informed the Nepal government about this decision," the American embassy said two weeks ago, "the MCC agreement worth $500 million and the additional $19.7 million contribution of the Nepal government to it will contribute to prosperity and regional energy promotion through the construction of electricity transmission infrastructure and the improvement of road networks." 

With this decision, the way for the program of MCC Nepal was opened. After this permission, MCA Nepal has signed a contract for the construction of two transmission lines for the first time. Before that, MCA Nepal claimed that the work of the project that had started construction was continuing, but new work could not be done. The pace of construction was also slow. Now, MCA Nepal has also started the new construction work. 

The agreement was signed on Thursday with two construction companies selected through the international bidding process. According to this, MCA Nepal has signed the contract for the construction of Ratmate-New Damauli transmission line with Angelic Skipper JV (joint venture) and the contract for construction of New Damauli-New Butwal transmission line with Waiba Salasar JV (joint venture). 

MCA-Nepal Executive Director Khadga Bahadur Bista and representatives of the two companies signed the agreement on Thursday in the presence of Ministry of Finance, Nepal Electricity Authority, Acting Vice President of MCC, representatives of MCC Housing National Commission, American Embassy officials. It is mentioned in the agreement that the construction of both transmission lines should be completed within 42 months. 

Under this contract, which has a combined cost of 15.45 million US dollars (about 21.5 billion Nepalese rupees), the design, installation, testing and operation of the 180 km long 400 kV transmission line will be done. 

Ghanshyam Upadhyay, chairman of the board of directors and finance secretary of MCA Nepal, said that the financial support received from the American government is very important to implement the plan of the Nepal government regarding the construction of transmission lines and substations. He said that the government of Nepal should also provide continuous support for this program and complete the project on time. He said that these transmission lines will prove to be milestones during the development and expansion of Nepal's energy sector. 

"With the signing of the agreement, MCC reaffirms the mutual priorities and support of the United States of America in Nepal's development goals," said MCC Acting Vice President John Wingle, "We are proud to work with our Nepali counterparts to improve the availability and reliability of electricity in Nepal, as well as enhance regional electricity trade and interconnection." 

MCA-Nepal was established on May 5, 2075 under the Development Committee Act, 2013 as the responsible body for the program to be implemented in collaboration with the Millennium Challenge Corporation of the Government of Nepal and the United States. "Today's construction agreement is not only an achievement but a tangible symbol of the United States' permanent commitment to the development and prosperity of Nepal," said Jason Mix, Deputy Chief of Mission of the American Embassy in Nepal.

MCC Compact Nepal is an important cornerstone of cooperation between Nepal and the United States and it will benefit all Nepali citizens, he said. "We are feeling proud to move forward together with the bright future of Nepal and Nepali," he said.  MCA Nepal's Executive Director Bista said that the continuous support from the US government and the latest permission to advance the

compact will be appreciated. "Today's important achievement reflects the common commitment of the Nepalese government and all stakeholders towards this national pride project," he said. Bista says that MCA Nepal will continue to focus on the successful construction and implementation of programs under the project with sustainable cooperation. 

MCC Nepal Compact is said to be a historic investment of 697 million dollars made for the long-term economic development of Nepal by creating a positive environment for the growth of private sector investment. Under this, it is said that MCC Nepal Compact is ready to support economic growth by implementing power transmission projects and road maintenance projects, strengthening important infrastructure, increasing cross-border energy trade and improving Nepal's transport network and expanding interdependence.