Union Power Minister Manohar Lal reviewed Tripura's power sector, with the state committing to prepaid metering and rooftop solar installations for two lakh consumers by 2027.
Agartala, May 31: Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Manohar Lal on Saturday reviewed the performance of the power sector and the implementation of urban development schemes in Tripura, with a focus on strengthening power distribution infrastructure, improving the financial health of the state's power utilities and expanding clean energy adoption.
The review meeting, held in Agartala, was attended by Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, the State Power Minister, senior officials of the Tripura government, representatives of the Ministry of Power and Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, and officials of central public sector undertakings in the power sector.
During the meeting, the Union Minister reviewed the implementation of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) and assessed the operational and financial performance of the state's power distribution utility. He stressed the need to reduce Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses and improve the financial viability of the distribution company.
Manohar Lal also underlined the importance of strengthening revenue collection, particularly through the conversion of government departments and establishments to prepaid electricity meters. Reviewing the progress of smart metering projects in the state, he called for faster implementation of the programme.
The Tripura government informed the meeting that all government electricity consumers would be shifted to prepaid metering by August 2026. The state also committed to completing pending smart meter installations by July 2027.
The Minister further reviewed Tripura's resource adequacy planning and intra-state transmission network development in view of rising electricity demand. He advised the state government to ensure that transmission infrastructure expansion keeps pace with future demand growth.
In response, the state government assured that transmission capacity augmentation projects would be expedited in line with resource adequacy plans.
Progress under the PM-KUSUM scheme and the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana was also discussed. The Union Minister encouraged the state to make greater use of the schemes to expand access to renewable energy, especially in remote and underserved areas.
Tripura committed to installing rooftop solar systems for two lakh consumers by March 2027. According to officials, the initiative is expected to help households reduce their electricity expenses while increasing the share of clean energy in the state's power mix.
Manohar Lal said sustained efforts in these areas would help make the state's power distribution utility financially viable and contribute towards a self-sufficient power sector.
He assured the state government of continued support from the Centre for the development of Tripura's power infrastructure.
Chief Minister Manik Saha reiterated the state's commitment to ensuring timely implementation of sanctioned projects and improving the overall performance of the power sector.
