Tripura demands second phase of World Bank project for power system improvement

Agartala, Oct 13: Tripura Power Minister Manik Dey urged the Centre to consider early sanction of second phase of World Bank funded North-eastern Regional Power System Improvement project for the region. Addressing just concluded Northeast Power Committee meeting at Shillong Tripura Power Minister Manik Dey apprised that the first phase work of World Bank funded project has already started in the state but for ensuring overall improvement of power transmission scenario the second phase of the project became essential. He, however, pointed out that under World Bank project power system improvement works have started in southern parts of Tripura but central and northern parts were left. Unless transmission system of the whole state is improved, the overall improvement of power was not possible. The World Bank had agreed to provide assistance of Rs 1372 Cr to Tripura and the first phase of work has been started. M Dey complained that the Ministry of Power had been depriving North-eastern states while sanctioning centrally sponsored schemes like the Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) and Deen Dayal Upadhayaya Garmin Joyti Yojana (DDUGJY). Tripura had submitted DPR under DDUGJY for Rs 903.01 Cr for electrifying uncovered habitations including quality power supply to rural areas. The ministry has sanctioned only Rs 74.12 Cr, which was sufficed for 8.21 percent of the total requirement. Similarly, Tripura had submitted DPR of Rs 510.16 Cr for renovation, augmentation and strengthening of urban power distribution systems under IPDS but ministry sanctioned Rs 74.24 Cr. “With the meagre sanctions in projected power projects Tripura would never be able to reach the target of cent per cent coverage on power distribution,” Dey stated adding that the state sought centre’s favour to sanction the proposed amount in both projects besides, speedy sanction for construction and up-gradation of the transmission system to avoid escalation of project cost. Reiterating the long standing demand, Dey sought immediate action for construction of alternative power transmission line through Bangladesh from Tripura to West Bengal to strengthen inter-regional connectivity with national power grid and ensure uninterrupted power supply network in the state, which is disaster prone at present because of difficult terrain in Northeast. “ The proposed transmission line through Bangladesh will not only upgrade the connectivity in transmission system but will also reduce the length of power line to about 500 kms and pass through plain land. The southern part of northeast including South Assam, Tripura, Mizoram and Manipur has frequently been affected due to tripping in existing transmission line. So, alternative line via Bangladesh is important for stable and reliable grid connection,” he added. UNI