In 2010, the Centre proposed a ₹11,411 crore programme to modernise the outdated electricity transmission and distribution system in the eight North-Eastern States under World Bank’s assistance. Power Grid Corporation was nominated as the executing agency.
On March 13, Tripura is going to be the only State in the region to kick-start the project. Top officials of PGCIL and World Bank will be flying down to Agartala to celebrate rolling out of ₹1,376-crore scheme.
“We are the first State to adopt the programme,” State Power Minister Manik Dey told
Other States – Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Nagaland – are lying behind as they as they want their respective State government-run agencies to execute the project. This is irrespective of the technical ability of such State agencies.
But Tripura declined to join the chorus.
“We didn’t find anything to object in the involvement of PGCIL. We are only interested in improving our facilities, for the long term gain,” Dey said.
Huge GainsThe gain from this development is huge. The North-Eastern States still follow the outdated practice of carrying power through systems of low voltage 66 kv and below. It restricts the system’s ability to carry power irrespective of the availability; leads to frequent voltage drops and high transmission loss.
Replacing it by modern 132 KV transmission systems backed up by 33 kv distribution system would ensure that the end consumer will get quality power. There will be lesser system snags and lower transmission loss, bringing savings to the utilities.
What is more important is that once all North-Eastern States adopt the new technology it will help develop the local market for electricity trade which is now extremely restricted due to system inadequacies.
It was a right move on the part of the Union government. But, right now the Tripura government seems to have appreciated its benefits.