Agartala: Tripura government has signed an agreement for an ADB-assisted project of Rs 2,275 crore (US $275 million) for the Improvement of Tripura Power Distribution Strengthening and Generation Efficiency, said Deputy Chief Minister, holding the power portfolio Jishnu Dev Varma here on Sunday.
He claimed this was the highest investment package in the power sector of the state so far, and also the biggest single project in the history of Tripura in any infrastructure sector.
The project would have an Rs 1820 crore loan from ADB and Rs 455 crore of direct investment by the State government to improve energy security, quality of supply, efficiency, and resilience of the power sector in Tripura.
The Project agreement was signed here on Saturday between Brijesh Pandey, Secretary, Power of Tripura, and Officer-in-Charge of ADB’s India Resident Mission Nilaya Mitash, which was intended to support the efforts to strengthen the power sector by replacing inefficient power plants and strengthening the distribution by reduced transmission losses and to meet the increasing demand of electricity to boost the state’s economy.
With the implementation of the project of around 6 lakhs, consumers would be benefited directly and have 6000 employment opportunities, Deputy CM said detailing that the existing 63 MW (3X21 MW) Open Cycle power project with a 120 MW Combined Cycle power project in Rukhia in Sepahijala district would reduce greenhouse gas emissions after improvement of the generation infrastructure.
The efficiency of the Gomti Hydel Power Project would be increased through its modernization. Apart from that renovation of as many as 27 33/11 KV sub-stations would be undertaken under the project, which will include the installation of 1,50,000 smart meters, 582 16 KVA, and 547 25-KVA distribution transformers.
The project would also cover the construction/ augmentation of 143.46 Km UG Cable, 1650 Km Cover Conductor, 900 Km AB Conductor, and 1262 Ken 11 KV lines.
The project would support at least 15 selected women’s self-help groups (SHGs), Dev Varma said.
He pointed out that a total investment of above Rs 2000 crore has been made in five years to strengthen the Power Sector Transmission and Distribution network in the State.
The State government is implementing result-based reform linked RDSS Scheme to improve the operational and financial viability of the Corporation at an investment of Rs 800 Cr.
Under this Scheme, 5.47 lakh Smart and Prepaid Meters would be installed on Consumer premises. In addition, 8720 km LT Aerial Bunched (AB) Cable and 830 Distribution Transformers (DTs) would also be installed, he added.
