In a bid to bolster the energy landscape in India’s northeastern states and Sikkim, the Ministry of Power and New & Renewable Energy has announced the implementation of two transformative projects aimed at enhancing intra-state power transmission and distribution systems. These initiatives, undertaken with meticulous planning and revised budget allocations, mark a significant stride towards ensuring reliable and affordable 24×7 electricity supply to all strata of consumers in the region.
The North-Eastern Region Power System Improvement Project (NERPSIP) encompasses six states, namely Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, and Nagaland. With a revised budget of ₹6,700 crore, this endeavour focuses on strengthening the intra-state transmission and distribution systems rated at 33kV and above. The project has made remarkable progress, as evidenced by the completion of 433 out of 446 total elements as of December 2023. Notably, states like Assam and Tripura are on the verge of witnessing the culmination of their respective components by December 2024, with a few elements remaining to be finalised.
Simultaneously, the Comprehensive Scheme for Strengthening of Transmission and Distribution System in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, with a revised cost of ₹9,129.32 crore, aims to fortify the energy infrastructure in these regions comprehensively. As of December 2023, significant headway has been made, with 153 out of 292 total elements successfully completed. Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, the focal points of this initiative, are slated to witness the progressive completion of the remaining components by December 2024.
These endeavours are poised to significantly enhance the transmission capacity and the length of transmission lines, thus facilitating seamless connectivity of the burgeoning load centres with the national grid. The implementation of these projects holds the promise of alleviating the longstanding energy woes of the northeastern states and Sikkim, thereby propelling socio-economic development and fostering a conducive environment for growth.
The initiatives underscore the government’s unwavering commitment to bridging regional disparities and fostering inclusive growth across the length and breadth of the nation. By prioritising the strengthening of energy infrastructure in remote and geographically c
