Addressing the power ministers’ conference in New Delhi on July 13, Power Minister Manik Dey pointed out that an alternative transmission network for the NE would enhance the integrity and reliability of power supply in the region.
He suggested taking up the issue of setting up cross border power transmission network with the Ministry of External Affairs(MEA) and ensure the grid connection between Dhaka and West Bengal under bilateral power sector cooperation.
Mr Dey also highlighted that the existing power grid connectivity between India and Bangladesh would require extension by a mere 150 kilometres for providing access to Agartala, which could be worked as an alternative for power transmission in the region.
''Being located in a remote part of the country, power evacuation has been one of our greatest challenges and the Ministry of Power is providing support to the Bangladesh Government in strengthening its power infrastructure,'' Dey underlined.
The meeting had also resolved to reduce the transmission loss to 15 per cent and inclusion of the advance cost of power line maintenance and internal power network expansion in annual balance sheet.
''We agreed to reduce transmission loss substantially from existing 31 per cent, but we protested to other issues like advance cost amount booking and introduction of private-public partnership in power distribution and management because of private entry in crucial segment make people sufferers,'' Dey stated.