Inaruwa–Purnea 400 kV Cross-Border Interconnection

Summary

The planned third 400 kV Nepal–India link, critical to evacuating the Arun 3 export block (900 MW) and later Upper Karnali-tier eastern generation. Currently in implementation-setup phase — the route exists on paper and in the bilateral MoU record, but construction has not begun.

Key Facts

Significance

• Arun-3 depends on it. SJVN's 900 MW Arun 3 was approved under an export-first model. Without this line, its generation cannot reach the Indian market at rated capacity — a direct instance of Stranded Generation.
• Third 400 kV cross-border. Combined with Dhalkebar–Muzaffarpur 400 kV Cross-Border Interconnection and Gorakhpur–New Butwal 400 kV Cross-Border Interconnection, it would give Nepal three east/central/west 400 kV export paths — the first real geographic redundancy.
• Koshi basin anchor. Establishes the first 400 kV link serving the Koshi Basin directly, opening the door to future eastern storage (e.g. Dudhkoshi Storage Hydroelectric Project).

Limitations & Controversies

• Schedule tied to Arun-3. Each slip in Arun-3 construction pushes the cross-border line as well — and vice versa.
• Environmental route. Alignment through Sunsari and Saptari districts still contested in local consultations.
• Indian-side approvals. Bihar state government concurrence and CEA tariff framework are the remaining gating items.

See also

• Arun 3 — the project this line is built for
• Hetauda–Dhalkebar–Inaruwa 400 kV Backbone — upstream feeder from Inaruwa
• Koshi Basin
• Stranded Generation