Agartala, January 01, 2025: In a landmark achievement for Tripura’s power sector, the Tripura State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) has become the first in Northeast India to receive the prestigious ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification for cybersecurity. The announcement was made by Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath during the 22nd Foundation Day celebration of Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) in Agartala.
Calling it a “milestone in cyber protection,” the minister emphasized that the certification marks a significant step in safeguarding the state’s power infrastructure from growing cyber threats. The certification, mandated by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), aims to protect the national power grid and associated digital systems.
The certification was granted by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, following a rigorous system surveillance audit conducted by STQC. The audit addressed key vulnerabilities including biometric access control, user identity management, intelligent threat systems, VESDA smoke detection, and physical security.
Reflecting on the state’s power journey, Nath noted that while TSECL was established in 2004, Tripura’s electricity sector dates back to 1937 during the princely rule, when diesel engines powered the first supply. Since 2005, the state has witnessed a transformation in its power infrastructure.
“In 2005, Tripura had only 3.9 lakh electricity consumers. Today, that number has surged to nearly 15.7 lakh,” Nath said. He highlighted the expansion of 132 kV and 33 kV substations and transmission lines as key to strengthening the state’s power backbone.
Stressing that “electricity is the engine of development,” the minister outlined several reforms aimed at modernization and transparency. These include online load-shedding management, smart metering, transparent billing, and digital payment facilities. He also pointed to the establishment of a 24×7 call center and rapid fault repair services as part of TSECL’s evolution into a modern service provider.
Looking ahead, Nath said the state is focusing on meeting rising power demands through gas-based, solar, and hydroelectric projects. Key initiatives include the 120 MW combined cycle project at Rokhia, the revival of the Gomati hydroelectric plant, an 800 MW pump storage project, and solar energy expansion.
Plans are also underway to install underground cabling across Agartala Municipal Corporation areas. Additionally, the state is adopting live-line maintenance, drone-based fault detection, and solar power integration in hospitals and educational institutions.
The event was attended by Power Department Secretary Abhishek Singh, Tripura Electricity Regulatory Commission Chairman Hemanta Verma, TSECL Managing Director Biswajit Bose, and other dignitaries.
