Agartala, May 14, 2025: Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath has claimed that the recurring power outages across the state, especially in Agartala, are not due to natural calamities or technical failures but the result of a deliberate sabotage by an organised group. The minister stated this while addressing the media on Wednesday warning that strict legal action would follow.
“This is not a routine mechanical fault or storm-related issue. Preliminary investigations by the Power Department have revealed signs of sabotage, and an FIR has already been lodged at East Agartala Police Station,” said Nath.
According to the Power Minister, a total of 21 transformers were deliberately tampered with late Monday night, leaving large parts of Agartala—including Dhaleswar, Chandrapur, Shivnagar, and Jamtala—in complete darkness. “In some locations, transformer gangs were forcibly thrown away; in others, cutouts were removed. There were even attempts to short-circuit power lines by hurling heavy objects,” he detailed.
CCTV footage from Kamarpukur Par reportedly captured a man on a scooter approaching a transformer, throwing a gang switch, and plunging the area into darkness within moments. “We are analyzing several such video footages,” Nath confirmed.
The affected areas include: Dhaleswar Road Nos. 7, 8, 9, and 14; Chandrapur Daspara and Roy Bari (1 & 2); Joyguru Auto Stand, Axis Bank; Ashram Chowmuhani, PN Deb Road, Shibnagar Modern Club; and Blue Lotus Club, Aluminum Factory, Kamarpukur Par, among others.
Nath noted that there is no deficit in power generation or supply in Tripura. Scheduled power cuts under the Smart City Project are always pre-announced. “But these unnotified, coordinated disruptions are clearly criminal in nature,” he said.
In response, Nath has spoken to the Superintendent of Police, West Tripura, and the local police officials, requesting support from the state’s IT department for further investigation. He urged citizens to stay alert and immediately report any suspicious activity near electrical infrastructure.
“This is a planned conspiracy to plunge our people into darkness and possibly aid criminal activities. But we will not let this succeed. The government is committed to ensuring uninterrupted power supply and public safety, but public awareness and cooperation are vital,” Nath said firmly.
The frequent outages have severely impacted schools, hospitals, businesses, and daily life, especially amid intense summer heat. The minister reassured the public that “the strictest action will be taken against the miscreants”, and vowed to restore normalcy at the earliest.
