The Power department of Tripura government and Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL), which is suffering huge losses due power theft through hook lines, especially in rural areas of the state have decided to start surveillance through Drones.

Inaugurating, a 33 kV Power Substation at the Gakulnagar Hospital junction in the Kamalasagar Assembly Constituency, Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath said that the newly constructed substation will benefit electricity consumers in Sekherkot and nearby areas, improving the quality and reliability of power supply for their households.

Highlighting frequent power outages during storms and heavy rain falls, Nath  said many people say the power goes out when storms come, but in reality, the TSECL disconnects the supply to prevent accidents. In Odisha, storms are frequent, yet they have advanced technology in the power sector and Power department are also moving in that direction to minimize disruptions during adverse weather conditions, said Nath

Discussing the state’s power generation capacity, Nath said, electricity is generally generated from gas, water, air, and the sun. In Tripura, power generation is primarily gas-based. But gas reserves are reducing—so what next? That’s why the government is focusing on solar energy, which is renewable and inexhaustible.

He added that Tripura’s solar power generation has seen significant growth and earlier, Tripura generated only 3 Megawatts of solar power; now the state generates over 28 Megawatts.

Urging citizens to take advantage of the Pradhan Mantri Muft Bijli Yojana, the minister said that the government is offering subsidies, loans, and other support. This will substantially reduce electricity bills, and people can also earn money by installing solar panels.

Mentioning the power theft and losses suffered by TSECL, Nath added that the department is taking steps to eliminate hook line usage and in this regard seek cooperation of general people of the state. He added that the department will introduce Drones to check power theft through hook lines and will act as per law.

Highlighting  various welfare initiatives implemented in the last seven years of BJP government in Tripura, including the distribution of free houses, rations, and water supply connections, Nath said that people of the state are receiving these benefits because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who believes in Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,” and Chief Minister of Tripura, Dr Manik Saha.

Nath urged people to pay their electricity bills on time and help ensure quality and timely power supply by discouraging theft and wastage.

He also assured people that in the coming days, the Power department will introduce more advanced technology in the power sector including uses of drone technology to identify power theft and losses of electricity supply must be stopped.

Nath said that after the formation of the present government, the Power department has provided 1.36 lakh free power connections under the ‘Saubhagya Yojana’.