Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath challenges opposition claims against smart meters, urging expert validation. He announces a ₹603 crore initiative and 94,000+ installations, while underground power cable work begins in October to curb outages. Nath dismisses inflated bill rumors and reaffirms consumer protection and infrastructure upgrade plans.
Amidst mounting opposition protests and a flurry of critical social media campaigns targeting the ongoing installation of smart meters across Tripura, Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath issued a strong rebuttal on Monday, challenging detractors to back their claims with verified expert evaluation.
In a press conference addressing the controversy, Nath firmly stated, “I would be happy to suspend the installation of smart meters and remove the ones already installed if any expert can prove that the devices are faulty. But the expert must be a qualified electrical engineer with adequate skills to conduct such a test.”
Nath criticized the politically motivated nature of the campaign, emphasizing that criticisms of such advanced technology should only come from individuals with proper technical knowledge. “If I am ill, I must go and see a doctor. I will not ask for remedies at a tea stall,” Nath said, drawing an analogy to drive home his point.
The Minister emphasized that consumers are free to retain both old and new meters simultaneously. “We have no objection if consumers want to keep both the conventional and smart meters. If discrepancies arise, they are welcome to lodge complaints. The smart meters installed by TSECL are tested and certified by competent agencies,” Nath assured.
Smart Meters: Technology for Transparency and Efficiency
Highlighting the utility and technological superiority of smart meters, Nath pointed out that these devices are a step toward modernization of the state’s power infrastructure. “Smart meters help the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) assess load requirements for specific areas and households. This enables efficient deployment of transformers and load-specific upgrades, ultimately benefiting consumers who regularly pay their bills,” the Minister said.
He also revealed that the smart meter installation project is being implemented free of cost to the consumers, backed by a substantial investment of ₹603 crore. So far, over 94,000 meters have already been installed across the state.
When questioned about the BJP’s contradictory stand on smart meters in West Bengal, Nath refrained from drawing direct comparisons. “We cannot comment on another state’s policy decisions. Perhaps the West Bengal government procured devices from unauthorized sources or failed to ensure third-party certification,” he suggested.
Underground Cabling from October: Infrastructure Set for Modernization
In a significant infrastructure upgrade announcement, Nath disclosed that underground cabling of power lines will commence from October this year. “In the first phase, Agartala, Khumulwng, Dharmanagar, and Udaipur will benefit from this project. Both High Tension (HT) and Low Tension (LT) lines will be laid underground,” he explained.
According to the Minister, this initiative is aimed at permanently resolving the persistent problem of power outages during storms and adverse weather. Underground cabling will significantly enhance the reliability and safety of power supply in urban and semi-urban areas.
Inflated Bills Not Linked to Smart Meters
Responding to widespread allegations regarding inflated electricity bills following smart meter installations, Nath dismissed the claims as baseless. “People are being misled. There is no correlation between smart meter installations and increased monthly power bills. These are two entirely separate issues,” he clarified.
| Also Read: Congress protests smart meters, power tariff hike in Tripura |
Despite opposition-led campaigns and public apprehensions, the government remains steadfast in its push for modernizing the state’s power distribution system. By offering transparency, technical reasoning, and infrastructural upgrades, Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath has positioned the smart meter initiative and underground cabling as key steps toward a more resilient and efficient power supply network in Tripura.
