Agartala, Jul 24, 2024, By Our Correspondent
As a part of the Smart City project the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL), is now preparing for setting up of the underground power line network in the capital city. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the purpose will soon be placed before the concerned authorities, said Biswajit Basu, Managing Director of the TSECL. Besides the DPR financial planning concurrently is also underway.
"We have already done the groundwork for underground cabling in Agartala, to be carried out in phases under the Smart City project and TSECL’s initiatives. This initiative, part of the Smart City project, involves laying both 11 kV and Low Tension lines underground, to be executed in two phases.
The TSECL top brass met the press in view of the recent media reports of severe load shedding in several parts of the state.
Basu said, to strengthen the state's power infrastructure, TSECL has stationed power officials and linemen on 24/7 duty across its 67 power sub-divisions. Over 20,000 distribution transformers have been installed, with plans for replacements starting from early August. All these are done keeping in mind the pre-Durga Puja maintenance schedules.
"We are enhancing call center capacities and providing mobile contact numbers at the sub-divisional level to ensure residents can report any power issues promptly," Basu said.
The TSECL MD said, the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) has also initiated a pre-feasibility study for a ‘pump storage project in Longtharai Valley Sub-division. This development comes in the wake of increasing power demand in the state. At present there is a demand of 300 MW during peak hours and is projected to exceed 750 MW in near future.
Basu also gave details of the state's limited power resources. He pointed out that there is only hydro power project in Dumboor Hydro Power Plant.
However, the NHPC, to meet the challenge, has targeted several potential locations for the pump storage project, with Longtharai Valley being top in the list.
"NHPC has tasked Tata Consulting Engineers with the preparation of a pre-feasibility report. Should the findings be favorable, this project could significantly transform Tripura's power landscape," Basu said.