Tripura Plans Bangladesh Power Cut to Meet 410 MW Puja Demand

By Thetripurapost Desk, Agartala
Oct 04, 2026
161

Tripura is gearing up for a significant rise in electricity consumption during the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations, with the state government estimating that peak power demand could touch 410 MW during the festive period.

Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath said the state is taking comprehensive measures to maintain uninterrupted electricity supply across Tripura. As part of the contingency plan, power supplied to Bangladesh is likely to be reduced during Durga Puja, allowing the state to prioritise domestic electricity requirements.

The decision comes as Tripura prepares for a higher festive-season load compared with last year's actual peak demand.

Tripura Expects Higher Power Demand During Durga Puja

Nath said a detailed review meeting was held with senior officials, engineers and field-level personnel of the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) and Tripura Power Generation Limited (TPGL).

The authorities assessed the state's generation capacity, transmission network, maintenance arrangements and emergency restoration mechanisms ahead of the festival.

According to the minister, Tripura had estimated a peak demand of around 380 MW during the previous Durga Puja, but actual consumption reached about 373 MW.

This year, however, the government is preparing for demand to rise to approximately 410 MW, reflecting the increased electricity requirement associated with illuminated Puja pandals, commercial activity, residential consumption and large public gatherings.

Power Supply to Bangladesh to Be Prioritised for Tripura's Needs

One of the key decisions discussed during the review was the management of electricity supplied to Bangladesh during the Durga Puja period.

Nath said the quantum of power supplied to Bangladesh would be reduced when necessary so that Tripura's domestic demand could be met first.

The move highlights the importance of maintaining adequate power availability within Tripura during one of the state's busiest festive periods, when electricity consumption typically rises sharply.

The minister also said Tripura would be able to explore additional power from other regions if demand exceeds the state's available supply.

Tripura to Draw Additional Power When Required

Nath referred to the reciprocal power arrangements between Tripura and neighbouring northeastern states.

He explained that when states such as Mizoram require additional electricity during periods of high demand, Tripura can supply surplus power. Similarly, Tripura can draw electricity when its own requirement increases during Durga Puja.

Such arrangements are being kept available as part of the state's contingency planning for the festival.

132 KV, 66 KV and 33 KV Networks Under Review

The power department has also reviewed the condition of critical transmission infrastructure across the state.

Officials examined the status of 132 KV, 66 KV and 33 KV transmission lines, ongoing maintenance work and measures required for the rapid restoration of electricity in the event of technical failures or line tripping.

The emphasis is on ensuring that any disruption during the Puja celebrations can be addressed without significant delay.

Transformers, Vehicles and Emergency Teams Put on Standby

The minister directed TSECL officials to maintain sufficient stocks of standby transformers and other essential equipment throughout the festive period.

Adequate numbers of vehicles, ladders and technical manpower are also being arranged so that emergency teams can reach affected areas quickly.

A particularly important measure will involve keeping standby transformers loaded on vehicles near major Durga Puja venues. This is intended to reduce response time if a transformer fails at a crowded festival location.

1912 Power Helpline May Get More Operators

The electricity department is also working to strengthen the existing 1912 power helpline during the Puja period.

Nath said the capacity of the helpline would be increased, with additional operators and call centres being considered to handle a likely increase in consumer complaints.

This is expected to help electricity officials respond more efficiently to outages, transformer failures and other power-related emergencies during the festival.

Employee Leave Cancelled for Round-the-Clock Power Services

To maintain uninterrupted service, leave for electricity department personnel has been cancelled during the critical Puja period.

Technical teams and field staff will remain available around the clock to respond to breakdowns and emergency situations.

The government has stressed that uninterrupted electricity supply will be particularly important at major Puja locations, where large crowds and extensive decorative lighting can place additional pressure on the distribution network.

Tripura Warns Puja Organisers Against Illegal Power Connections

The Power Department has also intensified its focus on electrical safety at Puja venues.

Nath warned against unauthorised connections and the use of illegal "hook lines", which can create serious risks of electrocution, short circuits and fire.

Puja organisers have been advised to follow electrical safety requirements, while coordination meetings are being conducted to address potential hazards before the celebrations begin.

Weather Watch Continues Ahead of Durga Puja

Weather conditions are another factor being monitored by the authorities.

Nath said the latest indications from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) did not suggest any major storm or severe weather event at present.

However, a more definitive assessment is expected around Mahalaya, when officials will have a clearer picture of the weather conditions likely to prevail during the Puja period.

The minister has directed officials to submit a comprehensive final preparedness report by Mahalaya or the day before, covering power generation, transmission, distribution, emergency equipment, manpower deployment and other arrangements.

Tripura's Puja Power Plan: Domestic Supply Takes Priority

With peak electricity demand projected to reach 410 MW, Tripura is preparing for one of its most demanding festive power periods.

The proposed reduction in electricity supply to Bangladesh, possible power procurement from other regions, standby transformers, additional emergency manpower and strengthened consumer support systems form part of a broader strategy to prevent prolonged outages during Durga Puja.

The focus now shifts to final inspections and preparedness reports before Mahalaya, after which authorities are expected to have a clearer assessment of Tripura's ability to handle the anticipated festive electricity demand.

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