The state government has signed an agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB) of Rs 2,275 crore to boost up and improve the power distribution lines, said Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma.

Speaking with media persons Deputy Chief Minister, who is also holding the portfolio of Power department said it’s a historic agreement for the state and it is the single biggest project in any plan through an externally aided project.

The project agreement was signed by Power Secretary of Tripura government, Brijesh Pandey and Nilaya Mitesh, the officer in charge of ADB's Indian Resident Mission, New Delhi, remotely on Friday last after extensive deliberation and evolution process for the proposed project. Dev Varma said the ADB project will support the state government's efforts to strengthen its power sector by replacing inefficient power plants and strengthening the distribution system. Among  Rs 2,275 crore funds, the central government will repay Rs 1,820 crore while the state is supposed to provide Rs 455 crore, he said, adding the project will be implemented in the next three years.

Praising the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for clearing the first externally aided project for the power sector for Tripura, Dev Varma said the state government will undertake massive renovation of two power projects - Rukhia in Sepahijala district and Gumati Hydro project in Gomati district. Besides, there will be a lot of work in the transmission sector to improve the existing system. At present, gas based Rukhia power project produces 66 MW power and its installed capacity will be increased by modernizing the plant, said Dev Varma and added that the Dumbur hydro power project's capacity will be increased from 5 MW to 10 MW. The externally aided project will benefit five to six lakh consumers and it will also generate 6,000 to 6,500 direct jobs in different levels.

It may be recalled here that apart from the ADB project, an additional amount of Rs 800 crore will be spent to improve the power distribution which includes underground transmission line in Agartala city and installation of smart electric meters.