Agartala, May 31: Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday chaired a meeting here to review works of the power and urban affairs sectors in Tripura, and alerted the officials concerned about a 26 per cent power distribution loss of the state-run utility.
He said a target has been set to install 2 lakh rooftop solar systems by 2027 to meet future power needs in the northeastern state.
The minister emphasised that the state-run electricity distribution company must act against power theft, illegal connections and install smart meters to reduce AT&C losses.
Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) loss is the key metric used in the power sector to measure the total energy and revenue lost by distribution companies (DISCOMs).
"Chaired the State Review Meeting of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs in Agartala along with Hon'ble CM @DrManikSaha2 Ji, with detailed deliberations on key issues concerning the Swachh Bharat Mission and the state’s power sector," the central minister said.
Khattar said extensive discussions focused on the implementation of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), smart metering and transmission planning.
"Special emphasis was laid on strengthening power infrastructure, improving DISCOM efficiency, reducing AT&C losses, and accelerating the adoption of rooftop solar to ensure reliable and sustainable energy access across the state," the minister said on X.
Khattar, who visited three states to review the programmes of his two ministries- Power and Housing and Urban Affairs - held a separate meeting with Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha here.
"I have visited three states- Mizoram, West Bengal and Tripura and reviewed some state-specific issues related to my two ministries. In Tripura, a target has been set to install 200,000 rooftop solar systems by 2027 to meet future needs," he told reporters.
The central minister said the vendors from Delhi and other states will join the solar rooftop programme to meet the target.
"Tripura's AT&C loss in the power sector stands at 26 per cent, which is high. A total of Rs 800 crore has already accumulated due to high AT&C losses, and Rs 300 crore was recorded in the last year alone," he said.
The state government was urged to prepare a power adequacy plan for the next three years to meet future demand.
The union minister also appealed to the state government to prepare two projects for road improvement, costing Rs 1,200 crore.
"The project cost will be borne by the Centre and the state on a 50:50 ratio, while a fund of Rs 600 crore will be borrowed from financial institutions," he said, adding that the Centre has already released funds for setting up a dumping station in West Tripura district.
Earlier, the union minister attended a programme to mark the sixth year of PM SVANidhi, a programme aimed at boosting roadside vendors economically.
"Under PM SVANidhi, the Centre has released loans to 2.59 roadside vendors during the past six years, while over 9,300 street vendors were benefited in Tripura. The programme will continue till 2030," he added. (PTI)