By TC News Desk
Agartala, 30th September 2024: On Monday, Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath announced that the Tripura government will purchase 105 megawatts of electricity for Rs 2 crore in preparation for the Durga Puja festivities. To ensure a reliable power supply, nine new substations will also be inaugurated before Diwali.
Minister Nath stated that the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) has implemented various measures to guarantee continuous electricity. “With around 95% of the preparations complete for Durga Puja, only a few tasks remain to be finalized shortly. We have eight power circles in the state, and maintenance work—including wire cleaning, restoration, and transformer replacement—is nearly finished. We are also upgrading transformers and reinforcing areas experiencing power overload. Currently, we have 475 transformers in stock. During the festival, all power subdivisions will have round-the-clock electricity,” he said.
The Minister also announced that all officials’ leaves have been canceled during Durga Puja. To acknowledge the efforts of 4,294 employees, including General Managers, Assistant General Managers, senior officials, LDCs, contractual staff, linemen, and security guards, the power department will allocate Rs 25 lakh as a reward for their exceptional performance during recent floods. The rewards will range from Rs 400 to Rs 1,700, reflecting the hard work of TSECL officials during this challenging time.
Last year, power demand during Durga Puja peaked at 311.3 megawatts, with approximately 436.1 megawatts supplied from Bangladesh. This year, the expected demand is 390 megawatts, prompting the need to purchase 105 megawatts from Palatana OTPC and Mizoram at a cost of Rs 2 crore.
Additionally, Minister Nath highlighted a Rs 1,800 crore project, funded by the World Bank, aimed at establishing nine new power substations across the state. “These substations, including 132 kV and 33 kV capacities, are set to be inaugurated before Diwali,” he added.
