Mizoram hydropower project: Tuivai 132 MW plan moves to tendering after DPR completion

Mizoram is moving ahead with plans for a 132-mw hydropower project on the Tuivai river. Officials said the site is in Saitual district near the Manipur border. The project aims to raise local electricity output as demand climbs in the state. The government is also looking at ways to speed up approvals and execution.

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Officials said Chief Minister Lalduhoma led a high-level review meeting on Wednesday. The meeting focused on fast-tracking the proposed Tuivai Hydroelectric Project. Power Minister F Rodingliana and senior Power and Electricity Department officials attended. The plan is estimated at Rs 2,289.50 crore. It is expected to finish within five years.

Tuivai Hydroelectric Project tendering and PPP model

Officials said the Detailed Project Report has been completed. The proposal is now ready to enter the tendering process. The state government is exploring implementation through a Public-Private Partnership model. The meeting also decided that annual funding needs will be checked. This will be done in consultation with the Finance Department.

The Tuivai Hydroelectric Project has a long planning history. The Central Water Commission first surveyed it in 1992. At that stage, the planned generation capacity was 210 mw. Later, the project was redesigned because the proposed dam area extended into Manipur. A revised DPR has been prepared with capacity reduced to 132 mw.

Mizoram power demand and local generation gap

According to the 20th Electric Power Survey, Mizoram’s peak power demand is 182 mw. It is projected to reach around 213 mw by 2030. Officials said the state’s installed generation capacity is 50.20 mw. Actual output is much lower. Only around 10 per cent of total electricity needs are met locally.

Officials said Mizoram spends nearly Rs 649.54 crore each year on buying power. This figure excludes transmission charges. The cost has added pressure to increase local generation. The Tuivai Hydroelectric Project is seen as one step towards that goal. The state is trying to reduce dependence on outside supply.

Tuivai Hydroelectric Project review and other power works

The review meeting also looked beyond the Tuivai river plan. Participants assessed progress on the ongoing Tuirini Hydroelectric Project. They also reviewed work under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme RDSS. Officials said discussions covered issues to be raised with Union Power Minister Manohar Lal. The minister is due to visit Mizoram.

Officials said the government’s next steps include moving the Tuivai project into tendering. Work will also continue on funding assessments with the Finance Department. The state is balancing new generation plans with upgrades under RDSS. The discussions with Union Power Minister Manohar Lal are expected to cover these priorities.

With inputs from PTI