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Nepal’s Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation has released a summary of its major policy, administrative, and bilateral achievements over the past 15 days. According to a press statement issued by the ministry on Friday, key developments include the appointment of new leadership at the Electricity Regulatory Commission and significant decisions on Nepal–India energy cooperation.

As per the Cabinet decision of July 22, Dr. Ram Prasad Dhital has been appointed Chairperson of the Electricity Regulatory Commission, while Jayaraj Bhandari, Lokraj Pathak, and Balaram Silwal have been appointed as commission members.

The ministry also highlighted the outcomes of the 13th Nepal–India Energy Secretary-Level Joint Steering Committee (JSC) and Joint Working Group (JWG) meetings, where both sides reached important agreements on expanding cross-border transmission infrastructure, increasing electricity import and export capacity, and developing joint energy infrastructure.

According to the ministry, the two countries agreed to enhance electricity import and export capacity through the Dhalkebar–Muzaffarpur and Dhalkebar–sitamarhi transmission lines, approve the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Chameliya–Jauljibi transmission line, and accelerate the construction of new cross-border transmission lines.

The ministry further stated that a sectoral committee meeting was held to strengthen coordination among the federal, provincial, and local governments. The meeting discussed the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Bill 2026, and the Water Resources Bill, reaching consensus on the multi-purpose use of water resources, implementation of water audits, and execution of river basin master plans.

In addition, the ministry said it is moving forward with the drafting of the Electricity Bill and the Irrigation Bill.

Jalasarokar