Union Minister for Power, Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday announced significant Central Government support for Tripura’s urban infrastructure and power sector, with investments exceeding Rs 427 crore aimed at improving civic amenities and strengthening energy capacity.

The announcement came after a high-level review meeting held at the State Guest House in Agartala. The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath, and senior officials from the Power and Urban Development departments.

Addressing the media, Khattar said the Centre has allocated Rs 100 crore for the scientific waste management project at the DC Nagar dumping site on the outskirts of Agartala. The project is currently in its final stages and is expected to significantly improve solid waste management in the capital city.

The review also focused on sanitation infrastructure, including household, community, market, and aspirational toilets. The Union Minister stated that a statewide survey will be completed by June 20 to identify pending requirements, following which additional financial assistance will be released to complete the remaining sanitation projects.

Highlighting wastewater management, Khattar noted that Agartala currently has sewage treatment facilities, while 11 new Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) are being developed across other urban areas of the state. These projects are expected to be operational by December this year.

To boost urban cleanliness and tourism, the government has identified Agartala, Dharmanagar, Melaghar, and Udaipur as priority cities. An additional Rs 27 crore has been earmarked to enhance sanitation and beautification efforts in these locations, which are witnessing a growing number of visitors.

The Minister further revealed that Tripura has proposed urban infrastructure projects worth Rs 1,200 crore under the Urban Challenge Projects Fund. The funding model includes Rs 300 crore each from the Centre and the State Government, while the remaining Rs 600 crore will be mobilized through financial institutions. According to Khattar, the projects are designed to generate revenue and are likely to receive approval within the next one to two months.

On the energy front, the Minister reviewed the state’s power sector performance and discussed the implementation of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. Under the scheme, approximately two lakh rooftop solar installations are targeted across Tripura by March 2027. To accelerate implementation, experienced vendors from Delhi will work alongside local agencies.

Expressing concern over financial losses in the power sector, Khattar directed officials to identify and curb illegal electricity connections. He also emphasized the need for better planning to meet future energy demand.

The Minister stated that Tripura recorded its highest electricity demand of 270 MW on May 21 this year. With demand expected to rise in the coming years, the state has developed a roadmap to expand generation capacity and is aiming to achieve 300 MW of power generation by next year.

The review meeting underscored the Centre’s commitment to strengthening Tripura’s urban infrastructure, sanitation systems, renewable energy adoption, and overall power security.