Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath today said that electricity is the foundation of development, asserting that modern infrastructure and reliable power supply are essential for the overall growth of any region.
Minister said this after attending the Bhumi Pujan ceremony for the Underground Cabling Project under the Agartala Smart Grid initiative and the launch of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana under the Utility-Led Aggregation (ULA) model at Bardowali Higher Secondary School ground in Agartala. Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha was also present at the programme.
Power Minister said the state government had moved beyond announcements and was now implementing projects aimed at modernising Agartala's power infrastructure and providing relief to economically weaker households.
“The underground cabling project, estimated to cost Rs 1,151 crore, will cover the Agartala Municipal Corporation area, with the proposed network extending from the Barjala Airport area towards Khayerpur, as well as parts of Pratapgarh and Suryamaninagar. The project will be financed through Rs 131 crore from the state government, Rs 495 crore from the Centre and a loan of Rs 525 crore from the Asian Development Bank (ADB)”, said Minister.
He said that once completed, the project will replace overhead electricity cables with an underground network, improving the city's appearance and helping modernise its power distribution system.
Addressing concerns over road digging and disruption, Minister said the project would use horizontal installation techniques, requiring only small openings at selected points rather than extensive excavation across the city.
He said the government had studied infrastructure and technological practices adopted in several countries, including Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Malaysia, as well as in Indian cities, to develop a modern power distribution system for Agartala.
The minister also announced that the government was prioritising the implementation of the ULA model under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana to benefit economically disadvantaged households with low electricity consumption.
He said that under the initiative, the government aims to cover 1.5 lakh families in the first phase, with the selection process being undertaken through the relevant civic bodies.
Minister said the target was to bring these households under the scheme within six months.
He explained that under the proposed arrangement, eligible beneficiaries would reportedly need to contribute only Rs 1,000, with the government facilitating the installation and recovering the same amount as security money.
“Once the solar systems are installed, beneficiaries could see their electricity bills reduced to nearly zero, depending on their consumption and system performance. The initiative would particularly benefit families who consume around 50 units of electricity, many of whom struggle to bear even modest monthly power expenses”, he said.
He further highlighted the state government's efforts to strengthen its own power-sector implementation capacity, stating that the underground cabling project was being undertaken with financial support from the Centre, the state government and the ADB.
He said the government intended to ensure that the work was completed within the stipulated timeframe.
Emphasising the importance of modernising Agartala, Minister said the government was committed to transforming the capital into a cleaner and more developed city through improved infrastructure and a more reliable electricity distribution network.
