The Impressive TimesAgartala, May 31: Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Manohar Lal on Sunday reviewed the progress of power sector reforms and urban development initiatives in Tripura, stressing the need for improved financial performance of power utilities, faster smart meter deployment and greater adoption of renewable energy solutions.
The review meeting, held in Agartala, was attended by Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, the State Power Minister, senior officials from the state government, representatives of the Ministries of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, and officials from power sector public sector enterprises.
During the meeting, the Union Minister assessed the implementation status of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) and examined the operational and financial health of the state’s power distribution companies. He underlined the importance of reducing Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses and strengthening revenue collection mechanisms to improve the overall financial viability of the power sector.
A key focus of the discussion was the conversion of government electricity consumers to prepaid smart metering. The state government informed the Minister that all government establishments would be shifted to prepaid meters by August 2026. Authorities also committed to completing the remaining smart meter installations across the state by July 2027.
Reviewing future energy requirements, Manohar Lal emphasized the need for timely expansion of intra-state transmission infrastructure to meet growing electricity demand. He advised the state to align transmission capacity enhancement plans with projected demand growth and resource adequacy requirements.
The Minister also evaluated the implementation of renewable energy initiatives, including the PM-KUSUM scheme and the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. He encouraged the state to maximise the benefits of these programmes to increase access to clean energy, particularly in remote and underserved regions.
Tripura officials announced plans to install rooftop solar systems for nearly two lakh consumers by March 2027. The initiative is expected to promote sustainable energy use while helping households reduce their electricity expenses.
Manohar Lal noted that consistent efforts in power sector reforms would significantly improve the financial sustainability of the state’s distribution companies and help make the sector more self-reliant.
Reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to Tripura’s development, the Union Minister assured continued assistance and cooperation for the state’s infrastructure and power sector initiatives.
Chief Minister Manik Saha assured the Union Minister that the state government would take all necessary steps to ensure timely execution of sanctioned projects and further strengthen the overall performance of the power sector.
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