Arunachal Deputy CM unveils Rs 2000 cr power sector overhaul, orders department revamp

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 11, 2025

In a decisive push to modernize Arunachal Pradesh’s power infrastructure, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Wednesday announced a comprehensive revamp of the Power Department during a review meeting held at the DK Convention Centre in Itanagar.

Mein, who also holds the power portfolio, said the department has made significant strides since its separation from the CPWD in 1992. However, with rising power demand due to population growth, he stressed the urgent need to restructure the department to meet current and future requirements.

He outlined the state’s ambitious new initiative—the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive State Power Development Program—which was announced in the 2025 state budget. With a budget allocation of Rs 2000 crore over four years, the program aims to strengthen the sub-transmission and distribution systems in urban and high-density areas and extend electricity access to newly formed districts and remote rural habitations that remain unelectrified.

Mein emphasized the need to integrate mini-hydroelectric plants into the grid to enhance local generation capacity and reduce aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses to below 15 percent. He also called for infrastructure upgrades in urban areas and the strict implementation of prepaid smart metering systems to improve service reliability.

The Deputy CM urged the department to establish and enforce safety guidelines for linemen and electrical fitters to prevent workplace accidents. He assured officers that the government is committed to addressing long-standing structural issues and directed the department to submit a restructured proposal for Cabinet approval.

During the meeting, he also announced that every division of the Power Department would be provided with a utility vehicle to improve field operations.

The review included discussions on the activities of the Arunachal Pradesh Energy Development Agency (APEDA), including the promotion of rooftop solar panels and micro-hydroelectric projects. Issues related to service connections, particularly for industrial consumers, were also addressed, along with updates from the IT Division aimed at improving online bill payment systems, prepaid recharges, and real-time public communication.

The meeting was attended by Secretary (Power) R. K. Sharma, Advisor to the DCM Captain Anupam Tangu, Chief Engineers T. K. Tara, Ginko Lingi, and Duyu Taso, Director of APEDA Marbom Bam, OSD to the DCM Tseng Tsing Mein, along with superintending and executive engineers from across the state.