Agartala, Oct 10: Tripura has set a target to restore the Dumboor hydropower plant and increase electricity generation to 10-11 MW, with an investment of Rs 100 crore and work scheduled to begin in December this year, Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath said on Saturday.
The minister announced the plan while addressing a one-day Community Awareness Programme on Dam Safety at the Gumti Hydro Electric Project in Tirthamukh.
Nath said the hydropower plant was severely damaged by floods in 2024, prompting the state government to conduct a detailed assessment of the facility to determine the extent of the damage and explore possibilities for restoring power generation.
A survey was subsequently carried out with assistance from the National Institute of Technology (NIT), IIT Guwahati, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC). An underwater robot was also brought from Kerala to examine the present condition of the dam, he said.
“We have already undertaken a plan to generate 10 to 11 MW of power, for which Rs 100 crore will be spent. The work will begin this December,” Nath said.
The minister said the project, which was constructed 56 years ago, originally had three generating units with a combined installed capacity of 15 MW. However, electricity generation gradually declined over the years.
After the present government assumed office, efforts were made to revive the facility, enabling it to generate around 2-3 MW of electricity, he said.
Highlighting the importance of dam safety, Nath noted that India enacted the Dam Safety Act in 2021 to strengthen the monitoring and maintenance of dams across the country. Regular pre- and post-monsoon inspections are conducted to identify potential risks and ensure the safety of infrastructure and people living downstream.
“Ensuring the safety of people living downstream is our highest priority,” the minister said, stressing the importance of coordination among officials responsible for dam monitoring and maintenance.
He said the Gomati River originates in the Dumboor area, where the Raima and Saima rivers converge. The reservoir, which comprises 48 lakes, is also an important centre for fish cultivation and supports the livelihoods of thousands of people.
Nath further said the state Cabinet had decided to install BSNL network facilities and mobile towers in areas lacking connectivity, with work expected to begin soon.
MLAs, MDCs, TSECL Managing Director Biswajit Basu, CRPF and NDRF officials, and representatives of the National Dam Safety Authority attended the programme.
