Tripura govt taking series of steps to strengthen power infrastructure, protect consumers: Minister

Agartala, Aug 28 (IANS) Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath has said that the state government and the Power Department have taken a series of measures to strengthen electricity infrastructure and ensure an uninterrupted power supply to consumers, particularly during adverse weather conditions.

Speaking in the Tripura Legislative Assembly on the first day of its Monsoon session on Thursday, Nath said that the number of 132 kV substations in the state has increased from 12 to 21, while work on two more substations is underway.

“Similarly, the number of 33 kV substations has increased from 44 to 75, with work on another 18 in progress,” he added.

The Power Minister said that 272 km of railway-related power connectivity work has been completed, while 408 km of underground cables have been laid to ensure continuity of power supply during rain and storms.

He also added that 1,464 circuit kilometres of covered conductors have been installed to minimise power disruptions during storms, while work on another 360 km is underway.

“Work orders have also been issued for live-line maintenance and the use of drone technology for monitoring power infrastructure, while the department is also working on establishing mobile substations,” Nath said.

According to the Minister, new technology has been introduced between the 79 Tilla Power Station and Rukhia, with around 75 per cent of the work completed.

A new tower line has also been established in Gandacherra, where such infrastructure was previously unavailable.

Highlighting the state government’s efforts to expand electricity access in tribal areas, Nath said that power connections have been provided to 11,692 Reang families who earlier had no electricity.

“Under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, around 17,400 registrations have been made and 4,540 rooftop solar systems have been installed, generating around 15.5 MW of power,” he added.

The state government is also considering providing financial assistance for solar installations to around 1.5 lakh families in the first phase, the Minister said, adding that nearly four lakh families in the state consume up to 50 units of electricity.

On power generation, Nath said that the decline in gas-based power generation has affected the state’s overall electricity generation capacity.

Addressing criticism over electricity tariffs, the Minister added that the previous Left Front government had increased tariffs by 62 per cent in 2010 and by 116 per cent over its last eight years in office, while the present state government had increased tariffs by around 40 per cent during the past eight years.

He clarified that tariff decisions are taken by the Tripura Electricity Regulatory Commission after examining the relevant issues, while the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) is responsible for implementing them.

Nath said that following the latest tariff revision, the state government and Chief Minister Manik Saha immediately intervened, held discussions and decided to provide a 100 per cent subsidy on the additional tariff burden.

Consumers who have already paid the additional amount would have the excess adjusted against their subsequent electricity bills, he added.

On smart meters, the Minister said that their installation has been undertaken in several states following the Centre’s mandate.

He cited Himachal Pradesh, where around 43 per cent of consumers have been covered, and Jammu and Kashmir, where the coverage is around 73 per cent.

In Tripura, smart meters have been installed for around four lakh consumers, he said.

Nath also claimed that the smart-metering process in Tripura began during the Left Front government’s tenure in 2015 but was not implemented effectively.

He alleged that the Indian Audit and Accounts Department had flagged financial irregularities in a smart-meter work order worth around Rs 80 crore.

The Power Minister reiterated that the state government remains committed to strengthening the state’s power infrastructure and safeguarding the interests of electricity consumers.

–IANS

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