Agartala
Tripura is continuing to supply 44-45 MW of electricity to Bangladesh during the five-day Durga Puja festival, despite a sharp rise in local demand, Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath announced on Monday. The supply is part of a long-standing agreement between the two sides.
Nath said the state has secured 380 MW of electricity from central and state sources to meet festive needs. Mizoram will also provide 40 MW during Puja, which Tripura will return at Christmas. “Despite the surge in demand, we ensured uninterrupted supply to Bangladesh, reflecting our commitment to regional cooperation,” he said.
Durga Puja celebrations in Bangladesh are widespread this year, with 33,355 mandaps and temples hosting festivities, compared to 31,461 last year, according to Prothom Alo. Tripura began supplying 100 MW of power to Bangladesh in 2016 from the ONGC Tripura Power Company plant. Officials noted, however, that Bangladesh still owes large unpaid bills to the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL).
Within Tripura, power demand is expected to peak at 380 MW this year, up from 332 MW in 2022, 311 MW in 2023, and 312 MW in 2024. Around 3,500 Durga Pujas are being organized, matching last year’s figure. Special control rooms have been set up at divisional and sub-divisional levels to ensure smooth electricity supply throughout the celebrations.
Nath, who also oversees agriculture, said that TSECL, Tripura Power Transmission Limited, and the State Load Dispatch Centre are working together to maintain uninterrupted service during the festival.
