Agartala, Oct 17:
Tripura is set to take a major step in the regional energy sector, with plans underway to export power to Nepal, Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath announced on Thursday. He said discussions on the proposal were held in New Delhi, and the central government will take the final decision on the matter.
The Minister shared the update while inaugurating the 132 KV Gokulnagar Sub-Station under the NER Power System Improvement Project at the Gokulnagar Rastarmatha Sports Ground. The sub-station, constructed at a cost of ₹43.98 crore, aims to provide uninterrupted and quality power supply to nearly 48,740 families across Bishalgarh, Madhupur, Kamalasagar, and adjoining areas.
Highlighting the state’s progress, Nath said, “Earlier, Tripura had only 7.21 lakh power consumers. In the past seven years, the number has grown to 10.38 lakh. As modernization progresses, demand for power rises, and our government is working to meet that demand efficiently.”
He informed that Tripura now has 21 operational 132 KV sub-stations, up from 12 in 2018, with two more under construction. Similarly, 33 KV sub-stations have increased from 44 to 75, with 18 more underway. The length of 132 KV transmission lines has more than doubled—from 485 km to 986 km—while underground cabling has expanded from 95 km to 571 km.
Nath noted that due to reduced gas availability, the Rokhia power plant’s output has fallen from 63 MW to 19 MW. However, a ₹935-crore World Bank-backed project is being implemented to double generation capacity using combined cycle gas turbine technology.
He also announced plans for an 800 MW pump storage project at Chawmanu and a 400 KV sub-station at Suryamani Nagar, as Tripura continues to supply power to Bangladesh and prepares to extend exports to Nepal.
