Aizawl, Dec 22: The Mizoram government has decided to privatise or outsource the operation of seven small hydroelectric power projects, citing escalating maintenance costs, a senior official of the state Power and Electricity (P&E) Department said on Sunday. The decision was announced by Chief Minister Lalduhoma during the inauguration of a 10-MW solar power plant at Thenzawl in Serchhip district on Saturday. Officials said the move is aimed at improving operational efficiency and reducing the financial burden on the state exchequer.
The Chief Minister said the government believes outsourcing the small hydel projects would be beneficial for the state, as maintaining them has become increasingly unsustainable. However, the decision has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition Congress.Former Congress legislator T T Zothansanga termed the move detrimental to Mizoram’s long-term interests, arguing that privatising revenue-generating assets was unjustifiable. He said Mizoram currently has around 14 hydroelectric projects with a combined installed capacity of over 100 megawatts (MW).
According to Zothansanga, nine hydel projects were commissioned during Congress-led governments, three under the Mizo National Front (MNF) regime, and two during the People’s Conference government led by former chief minister Brig T Sailo. He also claimed that several small hydel projects, including the 12-MW Serlui-B project in Kolasib district, are actively generating revenue and should not be handed over to private operators.
Meanwhile, the P&E Department said the state government plans to begin construction of two major hydel projects next year — a 24-MW project on the Tuirini river, about 60 km from Aizawl, and a 132-MW project on the Tuivai river in Saitual district near the Manipur border.The estimated cost of the 24-MW Tuirini project is ₹676 crore, while the 132-MW Tuivai hydel project is projected to cost ₹2,400 crore and is expected to generate about 380 million units (MU) of electricity annually
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Chief Minister Lalduhoma said the foundation stone for the Tuirini project would be laid in the near future, while planning for the Tuivai project is progressing steadily. Once completed, the projects are expected to significantly enhance Mizoram’s energy self-sufficiency.In addition, the state government plans to set up six new solar parks across Mizoram with a combined generation capacity of 66 MW.
Currently, Mizoram does not have any major power plant and relies heavily on electricity imports, mainly from Tripura, spending nearly ₹400 crore annually to meet its power requirements. Officials said the state’s annual power demand has been growing at around 7.6 per cent, with peak demand reaching 160 MW. The ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) government has also reiterated its commitment to affordable electricity. Soon after assuming office, it decided not to revise power tariffs for five years to benefit economically weaker sections and small entrepreneurs.
