KATHMANDU, NEPAL - The U.S. government will support construction of a huge transmission project in Nepal with $500 million through its foreign aid agency the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

The new 198-mile, 400 kV transmission line will stretch from Nanglebhare of Kathmandu to Gorakhpur, India, passing through Nuwakot, Damauli, and Butwal, where a new substation will be built, reports Nepal24hours.com.

This project is of strategic importance for Nepal as the line will connect in Gorakhpur to the cross-border line with India and provide electricity to some 9 million people.

The total cost of the project is $630 million, with the U.S. government providing $500 million and Nepal government $130 million.

The construction should begin on June 30, 2020.

Source: Nepal24hours.com