Tripura to introduce drones to identify repair faulty transmission lines Power Minister

Agartala, May 19 (PTI) Tripura State Electricity Power Corporation (TSECL) is set to introduce drones to identify and repair faulty transmission lines in remote areas of the state by next month, Power minister Ratan Lal Nath said on Tuesday.
    In the northeastern state, identification and repair of snapped transmission lines is a major challenge because of hostile terrains during the monsoon season, leading to disruption in power transmission for days.
    "Chief Minister Manik Saha on Tuesday held a meeting with senior officials of the Power department to review the progress of ongoing works, addressing key challenges and ensuring timely implementation of important projects", Nath told reporters.
    He said the TSECL has decided to introduce drones to identify and repair faulty transmission lines in the most remote areas by next month.
    "We are also going to adopt a live wire maintenance system, which is not available in the northeast at present. Once the system is introduced, the repairs of faulty lines can be restored swiftly", he said.
    Nath said the underground cable laying programme, which will be implemented in three phases in the state, is scheduled to be completed in the city by early 2028.
    "If we could complete underground cable laying in Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC), the power supply in the civic body areas will be strengthened further. The disruption in power supply during monsoon or pre-monsoon season will be minimised significantly", he said.
    Nath said the chief minister has laid emphasis on the expansion of solar power system in the city, including the MBB airport road.
    "The Tripura Renewable Energy Development Agency (TREDA) has been doing excellent work in the expansion of solar power system even in hilly terrains where conventional power supply is not feasible", he said.
    "The TREDA is setting up microgrids in remote and hilly areas to supply power at an affordable price. PM Kusum (solar power for irrigation programme) has brought smile to the faces of several farmers. We are also trying to popularise the PM Suryaghar programme (solar lighting) across the state", he said.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)