SHILLONG: Tripura Power Minister Manik Dey stressed on the need for timely release of funds which is important for implementation of central schemes in the power sector.
Speaking at the meeting of northeastern power ministers, Dey said under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY), the sanction received was only Rs 74.12 crore, which is about 8.21 per cent of the total requirement.
The minister added that Tripura has submitted DPR for Rs 510.16 crore for renovation, augmentation and strengthening of urban distribution system for reliable and quality power.
However, only Rs 74.24 crore was sanctioned, which is about 14.55 per cent of the total requirement.
“With the meager sanction, how can the State meet the objective of 24/7 power for all declared by the Government of India,” the Tripura power minister added.
He has urged the Centre to provide full sanction of DPR value both for DDUJJY and Integrated Power Development Scheme to achieve the objective of 24×7 electricity for all.
Dey suggested that an alternate line through Bangladesh, Tripura and West Bengal may be installed to strengthen inter-regional transmission network.
Further, he spoke of the connectivity with national grid which would provide not only upgraded connectivity in transmission system but will also reduce the length by 500 km and will pass through plain land without any hilly terrain or any forest related issues.
“It is found that the southern part of NER grid involving Tripura, South Assam, Manipur and Mizoram are frequently affected due to tripping of 400 KV and 132 kV transmission line due to hilly terrain,” he said.
“Therefore, strengthening of these areas, grid connectivity by construction of alternate 400 KV transmission line from Tripura to West Bengal via Bangladesh is essential. This will facilitate North East to have reliable and stable grid connection,” he added.
Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh Power Minister T. Taga said power transmission should be simplified even as there is comprehensive scheme for construction of Power Grid in Arunachal Pradesh.
He stated that there are over 300 projects in the state for which an MoU has been signed but nobody is serious about implementation of the projects.
Taga, a BJP leader, said the projects have been blocked and that those developed were during the Congress regime.
“Money should not be kept idle. For this, the public is also now restless and the state government is finding it difficult to handle the situation as tender has been called,” he said.
“There is no work till date. Power produced in Arunachal Pradesh is to be supplied to Kerala. It is a long distance travel and there may be disruption to transmission. If this is the existing system, it will be useless to produce surplus power in any state,” Taga said.
Nagaland’s K Sangtam urged the power ministers of the North East to join hands in approaching the Power and the New and Renewable Energy ministries to change the present pattern of funding.
