Tripura CM Manik Saha launched the Rs. 1,151-crore Agartala underground electricity cabling project under the Smart Grid initiative. The project aims to modernise power distribution, reduce outages, improve public safety and promote rooftop solar benefits for 1.5 lakh families.
Tripura Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha on Thursday laid the foundation stone for the Agartala Underground Electricity Cabling Project under the Agartala Smart Grid initiative, marking a major step towards modernising the capital city’s power distribution infrastructure. He also launched the Utility-Led Aggregation (ULA) initiative under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana to extend rooftop solar facilities to economically disadvantaged households.
The foundation-laying ceremony was held at the ground of Bardowali Higher Secondary School in Agartala in the presence of Power and Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath, Tripura Assembly Deputy Speaker Ram Prasad Paul, Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumder and other dignitaries.
Chief Minister Manik Saha said the underground cabling project would significantly improve Agartala’s electricity distribution system by replacing existing overhead power lines with underground cables. He stated that the initiative would help reduce power disruptions, prevent electricity theft, strengthen public safety and improve the overall appearance of the city.
According to the Chief Minister’s announcement, Rs. 1,437 crore has been allocated for the underground cabling initiative. However, the project estimate reported by officials and the financing details shared by the power department put the cost at Rs. 1,151 crore. The reported funding structure includes Rs. 131 crore from the state government, Rs. 495 crore from the Central Government and a Rs. 525-crore loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The project will cover the Agartala Municipal Corporation area and its outskirts, with the proposed underground network extending towards areas including Barjala Airport, Khayerpur, Pratapgarh and Suryamaninagar.
Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath said electricity was the foundation of development and that a reliable power supply and modern infrastructure were essential for economic and social progress. He added that the government was implementing projects to strengthen the city’s electricity network rather than limiting itself to announcements.
Addressing concerns over possible traffic disruptions and road excavation, Nath said modern horizontal installation techniques would be adopted during the underground cable installation. This method would require only small openings at selected locations instead of extensive digging across roads, helping minimise inconvenience to commuters and residents.
The minister further stated that the government had studied infrastructure and technological practices followed in countries such as Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Malaysia, along with various Indian cities, while planning the modernisation of Agartala’s electricity distribution network.
Alongside the underground cabling project, the government launched the Utility-Led Aggregation initiative under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, focusing particularly on economically weaker households with low electricity consumption.
Under the first phase, the government aims to cover approximately 1.5 lakh families. The selection process will be undertaken through the concerned civic bodies, with a target of bringing the identified households under the initiative within six months.
Explaining the proposed arrangement, Power Minister Nath said eligible beneficiaries would reportedly need to deposit only Rs. 1,000 as security money, while the government would facilitate the installation of rooftop solar systems. The amount would be recovered as a security deposit under the proposed arrangement.
The initiative is expected to particularly benefit households consuming around 50 units of electricity per month, many of which face difficulties managing even modest electricity bills. According to the minister, the installation of rooftop solar systems could bring electricity bills close to zero, depending on household consumption and the performance of the installed systems.
The initiative is part of the state’s broader efforts to encourage renewable energy adoption while reducing the financial burden on low-consumption electricity users.
Nath said the government was committed to completing the underground cabling project within the stipulated timeframe. He reiterated that improved power distribution infrastructure, reliable electricity services and wider adoption of clean energy would contribute to Agartala’s development.
| Also Read: GBP Hospital Performs Advanced Megaprosthesis Surgery on 33-Year-Old Woman |
The programme was attended by Deputy Speaker Ram Prasad Paul, MLA Mina Rani Sarkar, Power Department Secretary Abhishek Singh, Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) Managing Director Biswajit Basu and other senior officials and representatives.
The two initiatives are expected to address different aspects of Tripura’s power sector, with underground cabling focusing on modernising urban electricity distribution and the rooftop solar programme aiming to expand access to renewable energy among eligible households.
