More than half of Tripura’s nearly 9.3 lakh electricity consumers have failed to pay their power bills for several years, according to the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL). The state-run utility has raised concerns over mounting unpaid dues and widespread non-compliance, particularly in rural and tribal-dominated regions.
TSECL Managing Director Biswajit Bose disclosed that only 4,32,045 consumers — mostly from urban pockets — are currently paying their monthly electricity bills. This figure represents just 45 per cent of the total registered consumers.
“This is a serious concern, especially in tribal-dominated regions like Tulashikar, Hezamara, Mungiakami and Jatanbari, where bill payments remain alarmingly low despite multiple reminders,” said Bose.
While urban areas, including the state capital Agartala, show relatively better compliance, the widespread default has driven total unpaid dues across Tripura to a staggering ₹475 crore.
In a bid to recover pending payments, TSECL has started reaching out directly to defaulters and in many cases, has begun disconnecting power lines to enforce payment.
The corporation is also intensifying its crackdown on electricity theft. “Last year, we detected over 10,000 cases of illegal connections through hooking. These resulted in disconnections and fines worth ₹3 crore,” Bose noted.
As the high-demand summer months of June, July, and August approach, TSECL is preparing to meet the expected surge in consumption. The utility has outlined plans to arrange for a 372 MW power supply to ensure uninterrupted electricity services during the peak season.
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