Agartala, July 30 (TIWN): The state is eyeing to expand its power distribution network to ensure smooth service to the consumers. Fourteen new electricity distribution sub-divisions, four new divisions and four new electricity circles would be made operational by the end of the current financial year, Power Minister Manik Dey said here today.

Speaking to reporters at the civil secretariat here this evening, Power Minister Dey said that a recent meeting of the state cabinet held on July 22 resolved to add the new distribution facilitator systems.

Tripura is already having power distribution in 90 percent of areas where people reside, the minister said. He said that the government aimed at ensuring 100 percent distribution soon.

New electricity sub-divisions would be set up at Killa, Karbook, Khumulwng,Champaknagar, Lefunga, Durga Chowmuhani, Poangbari, Madhupur, Gabardi, Nalchar, Chebri, Mungiakami, Jubarajnagar and Dasda, Dey said. “Our power distribution system is now operating 68 electricity sub-divisions already”, he added.

The state is currently having an average demand of 230 MW in peak hours out of 67 MW comes from the state’s own generation. 103 MW is being imported from other states including the power sharing agreement inputs from NE states. Tripura still suffers from a deficit of 60 MW which is bridged by 1.30 hours of power-cut everyday, the Power Minister said.

The minister said that seven electricity sub-divisions would be operationalized by this December. The rest seven would be operational by March, 2015.

Four new electricity distribution divisions would be set up at Jampuijala, Panisagar, Kailashahar and Gandacherra. Work would be started at Panisagar and Kailashahar in the first phase.

Four new circle offices would be set up at Belonia, Dharmanagar, Bishramganj and Khowai to monitor the new extended distribution system, the Power Minister said. He added that while few new recruitments would be needed for the new offices, most of the senior posts would be filled up through promotional posts. The managerial positions were already filled up through standalone recruitment process, the minister informed.

Asked about the prospects of power service after inclusion of the new offices, Power Minister Manik Dey today said that the Department is expecting a much smoother and effective power distribution.

The Palatana project’s temporary shutdown would be delayed as all shareholders of the North East Regional Local Dispatch Centre (NERLDC) couldn’t reach a consensus to shut it down for trial. The tentative date of shutdown was fixed on August 03 though nothing was finalized yet, a source in the Power Department said later this evening.

The source said that two units at the Rukhia thermal power plant were down. The eighth unit was down on a routine inspection and would be back in operation by August 10. The new ninth unit, which was commissioned less than a year back, is waiting for a special inspection by BHEL. The apex heavy machinery manufacturer was asked to figure out reasons of massive malfunction in the 21 MW unit within the warranty period.

The third unit of Baramura thermal power plant which went out of operation recently experienced manufacturing fault as well, the source stated.