Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Thursday said the state government has undertaken a series of measures to modernise Tripura’s power infrastructure, improve reliability and protect consumers from disruptions, particularly during storms and adverse weather conditions.

Addressing the Tripura Legislative Assembly, Nath said the number of 132 kV substations has increased from 12 to 21, with work on two additional substations underway. Similarly, 33 kV substations have risen from 44 to 75, while another 18 are under construction.

He said 272 km of railway-related power connectivity work has been completed and 408 km of underground cabling has been laid to reduce outages during rain and storms. The department has also installed 1,464 circuit kilometres of covered conductors, with another 360 km under implementation.

According to the minister, work orders have been issued for live-line maintenance and drone-based monitoring of power infrastructure, while plans are also underway to introduce mobile substations. Around 75 per cent of a new technology-based project between the 79 Tilla Power Station and Rukhia has been completed, while a new tower line has been established in Gandacherra.

Highlighting efforts to expand electricity access, Nath said power connections have been provided to 11,692 Reang families who previously lacked electricity. Under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, around 17,400 registrations have been received and 4,540 solar systems installed, generating nearly 15.5 MW of power.

The government is also considering financial assistance for solar installations for around 1.5 lakh families in the first phase, he said, adding that nearly four lakh households in Tripura consume up to 50 units of electricity.

On electricity tariffs, Nath strongly criticised the previous Left Front government, claiming that tariffs were increased by 62 per cent in 2010 and by 116 per cent during its final eight years in office. In comparison, he said, the present government had raised tariffs by around 40 per cent over eight years.

He clarified that tariff revisions are decided by the Electricity Regulatory Commission, while TSECL is responsible for implementation. Following the latest tariff hike, the state government and Chief Minister intervened and decided to provide a 100 per cent subsidy on the additional tariff burden. Consumers who had already paid the increased amount, he said, would receive adjustments in subsequent bills.

On smart meters, the minister said their installation was being carried out across the country following the Centre’s directive. He claimed that Tripura has already installed smart meters for around four lakh consumers.

Nath further alleged that the smart-metering initiative in Tripura had begun during the Left Front regime in 2015 but was not implemented effectively. He also claimed that the Indian Audit and Accounts Department had pointed to financial irregularities involving an approximately Rs 80-crore smart-meter work order.

The minister reiterated that the government’s priority is to strengthen the state’s power infrastructure, improve supply reliability and safeguard the interests of electricity consumers.