Rising electricity bill arrears in Tripura have raised serious concerns over uninterrupted power supply, as TSECL warns that large-scale non-payment is threatening financial stability, infrastructure maintenance, and future development of the state’s electricity distribution system.
Reluctance among a section of electricity consumers to pay their power bills on time has emerged as a major challenge for maintaining power services in the state. Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) has warned that failure to clear outstanding dues is not only disrupting administrative operations but is also posing serious risks to uninterrupted electricity supply and future infrastructure development. Managing Director of TSECL, Biswajit Basu, has appealed to consumers to cooperate, stating that without public support, sustaining and strengthening the power service system will become extremely difficult.
According to sources in the corporation, several areas under the Amarpur Electrical Sub-Division have witnessed a persistent trend of consumers demanding uninterrupted electricity services despite accumulating large unpaid bills over an extended period. Recently, electricity consumers from Kalamati, Bibaram, Gatiram, Sombajoy and Hatiray Para reportedly informed officials that they would not be able to pay their electricity bills.
Following prolonged non-payment, the corporation initiated steps to disconnect electricity supply in these areas. However, a section of residents staged protests by blocking roads and demanding restoration of power supply. Protesters claimed that paying electricity bills was beyond their financial capacity but insisted that power services must continue. The situation later eased following the intervention of the district administration. Residents of the affected areas submitted written assurances to the corporation, promising to clear their pending dues by February 15. Based on this assurance, electricity supply was restored. However, officials fear that if such tendencies continue in the future, maintaining uninterrupted electricity services may become increasingly challenging.
Statistical data indicates that electricity arrears in these five areas alone have crossed Rs 38 lakh. In Kalamati village, 32 consumers collectively owe over Rs 10 lakh. In Bibaram Para, 45 consumers have arrears amounting to Rs 7.89 lakh. Gatiram Para has 18 consumers with outstanding dues of Rs 4.76 lakh. Similarly, 46 consumers in Sombajoy Para owe Rs 9.37 lakh, while 30 consumers in Hatiray Para have pending bills totaling Rs 5.42 lakh.
The problem is not limited to these locations. The overall billing performance across the Amarpur Electrical Division has been described as alarming by the corporation. Official data reveals that under the Amarpur Sub-Division, out of 15,067 registered electricity consumers, only 4,310 had paid their bills as of January 31, 2026. This means that nearly 10,757 consumers have not cleared their dues, reflecting a payment compliance rate of just 28 percent.
Similar patterns have been observed in other sub-divisions as well. In the Jatanbari Electrical Sub-Division, only 1,729 out of 10,418 consumers have paid their electricity bills, translating to a payment rate of merely 16 percent. In Karbook Sub-Division, 1,644 out of 7,617 consumers have paid their dues, indicating a payment rate of 21 percent. In Ompi Sub-Division, 2,398 out of 9,098 consumers have paid their bills, reflecting a compliance rate of 26 percent.
Overall, when data from all four sub-divisions under the Amarpur Division is considered, the bill payment rate stands at only 23 percent. TSECL officials have termed the situation highly discouraging and financially unsustainable for maintaining power infrastructure and services.
Managing Director Biswajit Basu stated that electricity is an essential and capital-intensive service sector. Significant financial resources are required for power procurement, generation, maintenance, repair works, and development of new infrastructure. If consumers fail to pay their electricity bills on time, it becomes increasingly difficult to sustain day-to-day operations as well as undertake modernization and expansion projects.
He further emphasized that electricity supply is directly linked to everyday life, including education, healthcare, household activities, and commercial operations. Any disruption in the power service system would therefore have widespread consequences for public life and economic activities. According to Basu, while a small section of responsible consumers regularly clears their dues and supports the system, the growing number of defaulters demanding uninterrupted services is creating long-term risks for the sustainability of the power sector.
The corporation has warned that if the financial health of the power distribution system weakens due to large-scale non-payment, it could impact timely maintenance works, emergency repairs, and capacity enhancement projects required to meet increasing electricity demand across the state.
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In view of the emerging crisis, TSECL has appealed to all electricity consumers to pay their bills regularly and extend cooperation to strengthen the service system. The corporation stressed that electricity service is not solely a government responsibility but a shared obligation between the service provider and consumers. Officials have reiterated that without active participation and financial discipline from consumers, ensuring reliable, uninterrupted, and improved electricity services across the state will become increasingly difficult in the coming days.
