Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath announced a Rs 100 crore restoration plan for the Dumboor hydropower plant in Gomati district, targeting 10–11 MW of electricity generation, with work scheduled to begin in December 2026 following flood damage in 2024.
Key Takeaways:
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Tripura plans to invest Rs 100 crore to restore the Dumboor hydropower plant and target electricity generation of 10–11 MW.
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Restoration work is scheduled to begin in December 2026 following a technical assessment after flood damage in 2024.
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The government also plans to extend BSNL connectivity to areas without mobile network coverage.
Tripura has drawn up a Rs 100 crore plan to revive the Dumboor hydropower plant, which suffered extensive damage during the 2024 floods. Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath said the restoration project aims to restore generation capacity to 10–11 megawatts, with work expected to start in December 2026. He also announced plans to extend BSNL mobile network coverage to areas that currently lack connectivity.
Nath shared these plans while addressing a one-day Community Awareness Programme on Dam Safety at the Gumti Hydro Electric Project in Tirthamukh. He highlighted the plant’s importance to Tripura’s power sector and stressed the need to protect communities living downstream of dams.
Dumboor Plant to Regain Power Generation Capacity
Nath said the government had prepared a restoration plan to revive the Dumboor hydropower plant, which once generated up to 15 MW of electricity through three generating units.
However, the plant’s output declined gradually over the years. After the present government took office, the facility generated only around 2–3 MW, according to the Minister.
The 2024 floods subsequently caused extensive damage to the plant and disrupted its operations. The government now plans to invest Rs 100 crore to restore the facility and achieve a generation capacity of 10–11 MW.
Nath said the restoration work would begin in December 2026. The project represents a major step towards bringing the long-standing hydropower facility back into operation.
Technical Assessment Followed 2024 Flood Damage
Following the floods, authorities conducted a technical assessment to examine the condition of the Dumboor dam and the extent of the damage.
The assessment involved experts and institutions from the National Institute of Technology (NIT), the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).
The team also brought an underwater robot from Kerala to inspect the dam’s condition. The exercise helped authorities examine the structure and assess the damage before proceeding with the restoration plan.
Nath noted that the dam was constructed 56 years ago at the confluence of the Raima and Saima rivers. These rivers meet at Dumboor, which the Minister identified as the source of the Gomati River.
Dam Safety Law Focuses on Preventive Measures
Addressing the gathering, Nath highlighted the importance of dam safety and preventive inspections. He said India enacted dam safety legislation in 2021, considering the country’s more than 7,000 dams.
The Minister said the law provides a framework to identify potential risks and prevent future problems. He added that the National Dam Safety Authority was leading the awareness programme at Tirthamukh.
According to Nath, officials conduct mandatory dam reviews before and after the monsoon. These inspections involve coordination among the departments and agencies concerned.
He stressed that protecting people living downstream remains the government’s highest priority. Regular monitoring and coordinated assessments, he said, are essential to maintaining dam safety and reducing risks to nearby communities.
BSNL Towers Planned for Areas Without Connectivity
Nath also announced a separate initiative to address mobile network gaps across Tripura.
He said the state Cabinet had decided at its previous meeting to extend BSNL network services and install mobile towers in areas where connectivity remains unavailable.
The government plans to begin the work soon. The initiative aims to bring telecommunications services to network-deprived locations and improve access for residents.
However, the Minister did not specify the number of towers or the locations that would receive the new facilities.
Dumboor Supports Fisheries and Local Livelihoods
Nath described the Gumti hydroelectric project as Tripura’s first power generation project and highlighted its historical importance.
He also drew attention to Dumboor’s economic role beyond electricity production. The area has 48 lakes and supports fish cultivation, which provides livelihoods to thousands of people.
The proposed hydropower restoration therefore concerns a facility with significance for both electricity generation and the surrounding region’s economic activity.
MLAs and MDCs attended the awareness programme, along with TSECL Managing Director Biswajit Basu. Akhilesh Kumar Singh, Second-in-Command of the 124 Battalion of the CRPF; Sushil Kumar, an NDRF inspector; officials from TPGL; and representatives of the National Dam Safety Authority were also present.
