Power Sector witnesses major growth since 2018: Ratan Lal Nath

Agartala, June 30: Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath today said that since 2018, the state’s power sector has witnessed significant development with the introduction of new technologies and informed that plans are underway to provide dedicated electricity supply to all hospitals to prevent any kind of disruption.
Minister Nath said this at the grand inauguration ceremony of the 33 KV Sub-Station at Ranir Bazar in the Majlishpur assembly constituency, under the NER Power System Improvement Project, at a cost of Rs. 10.70 crore.
Minister Nath said that power is generally generated from coal, gas, water, wind, and solar energy.
“In our state, we generate power from gas. However, gas is slowly decreasing along with coal. So now, as per the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are giving connections through solar power,” he said.
He said that before 2018, there were around 7 lakh power consumers, and now the number has increased to 10.31 lakh.
“3.31 lakh consumers increased in seven years. In the last 35 years, they set up around 12 33 kV sub-stations, while we have set up 20 which are already completed. Earlier, there was 485 km of 132 kV line — now it is 986 km. The number of 33 kV sub-stations was 42, and now the number is 74. Earlier, there were 16,821 11 kV sub-stations — now it is 21,598. Earlier, there was only 95 km of underground cable — now it is 571 km. There were no prepaid meters earlier — now there are 1,61,700. There were no smart meters earlier — now there are 71,946 smart meters. We are now thinking in a different way. They have not done anything for the development of the power sector,” said Minister Nath.
He said everyone must work together against hook lines, or else it will impact the original consumers.
“We will use drone technology to identify hook lines. We will use new technology to restore power on live lines without disconnecting the power. We are planning to provide power separately in Ranirbazar Hospital and similar plans are in place for other hospitals as well,” he said.
Minister Nath further informed that the power department has a plan to construct a 400 kV sub-station in Suryamaninagar to strengthen the internal grid of the state and meet future increased power demand.
“A modernization project of power transmission infrastructure worth Rs. 1,800 crore is underway. Out of a total of 9 new 132 kV substations, 8 have been completed and 1 is under construction. Capacity of 7 old 132 kV substations is being increased. New technology cables are being added to old lines from Agartala 79 Tilla to Rukhia,” he said.