Reported by Mrinal Kanti Banik
Agartala: Union Minister for Power and Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, on Sunday said that Tripura has considerable potential for solar energy development, announcing that a 200 MW solar power project is in the pipeline with the tendering process already in progress.
Speaking at a press conference following a review meeting at the Tripura State Guest House in Agartala, Khattar noted that while hydropower generation is not a viable option for the state, solar energy offers significant opportunities for growth and expansion.
The minister said the review focused on the implementation and progress of projects under the Power and Urban Development sectors. He highlighted that over 9,300 loans have been sanctioned to street vendors in the state under a central government scheme, with financial assistance being disbursed in three phases.
Discussing urban infrastructure, Khattar said waste management initiatives, including work related to the DC Nagar dumping ground, were reviewed and that Rs 100 crore has been allocated for the project. He added that household waste collection is being carried out through members of self-help groups (SHGs) and urged residents to actively participate in waste management efforts. Those not enrolled in doorstep collection services should dispose of waste at designated segregation centres, he said.
Khattar further informed that a survey covering community, aspirational and public toilets across urban areas has been commissioned and is expected to be completed by June 20. Based on the findings, financial assistance will be extended, with funding shared by both the Centre and the state government.
The Union minister also announced that 11 new sewage treatment plants (STPs) in and around Agartala are likely to be operational by December 2026.
To improve urban sanitation, he said special efforts are being undertaken in four key towns-Agartala, Udaipur, Dharmanagar and Melaghar with Rs 27 crore sanctioned for cleanliness and sanitation-related projects.
Khattar also unveiled plans for projects worth Rs 1,200 crore under the Urban Challenge Fund. Under the funding structure, Rs 300 crore will be contributed by the state government, another Rs 300 crore by the Centre, while the remaining Rs 600 crore will be raised through financial institutions.
He explained that the proposed projects would be designed to generate revenue, enabling repayment of loans in accordance with the terms set by lending agencies.
On the power sector front, Khattar said the rooftop solar initiative under the PM Surya Ghar Scheme is making steady progress in the state. He noted that transmission and distribution losses remain around 26 per cent, attributing part of the losses to power theft and illegal connections. He said stricter enforcement measures would be adopted to curb such practices.
The minister also stressed the importance of expediting the installation of smart electricity meters across the state to improve efficiency and reduce losses.
The review meeting was attended by Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath and Chief Minister Manik Saha.