Dana–Kushma–New Butwal 220 kV Corridor

Summary

The west-central hydropower evacuation corridor — running from the upper Kali Gandaki valley (Dana, Kushma, Parbat) down to New Butwal. Built to pick up the cluster of IPPs in the Modi and Kaligandaki tributaries and tie them into the growing western grid.

Key Facts

Parameter	Value
Voltage	220 kV
Status	Operational
Length basis	127.57 route-km / 255.6 circuit-km
Owner	Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA)
Terminals	Dana (Myagdi) · Kushma (Parbat) · New Butwal (Rupandehi)
Commissioned	Dana-Kushma and Kushma-New Butwal sections now operational; New Butwal fully operational since October 2023
Corridor ID	`dana_kushma_butwal_220`

Map Interpretation

The major transmission network now represents this corridor as two source-backed 220 kV double-circuit features: Dana-Kushma and Kushma-New Butwal. The geometry comes from RPGCL official vector linework, while the length/status basis comes from NEA transmission and annual reports.

Current validation result: 2 features, 0 inferred connectors, 0 remaining endpoint gaps, and 128.027 km traced length against a 127.57 route-km basis. Public decision: default-visible, operational, high confidence.

Significance

Unlocks a trapped basin. Before this corridor, the Modi / upper Kali Gandaki IPP cluster had to evacuate through congested 132 kV toward Pokhara. Dana–Kushma–New Butwal gave the basin its own exit.
Pre-positions for 400 kV. Terminates at New Butwal, the same substation that will host the MCA Central 400 kV Corridor (Lapsiphedi–Ratmate–Hetauda–Damauli–Butwal) terminus and the Gorakhpur–New Butwal 400 kV Cross-Border Interconnection.
Significance for Kali Gandaki A's downstream cascade. The corridor accommodates future cascade additions in the basin.

Limitations & Controversies

Terrain risk. Myagdi-Parbat segment climbs steep, landslide-prone terrain; 2023 monsoon damage required emergency tower reinforcement.
Still 220 kV. As the Gandaki Basin pipeline grows, 220 kV may again become the bottleneck; the MCA Central 400 kV Corridor (Lapsiphedi–Ratmate–Hetauda–Damauli–Butwal) and Gorakhpur–New Butwal 400 kV Cross-Border Interconnection make New Butwal the reinforcement point to watch.