North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd. (NEEPCO) was incorporated in 1976 to plan, investigate, design, construct, generate, operate & maintain power stations in the North Eastern Region of India. It was set up under the Ministry of Power and is conferred with the Schedule A- Miniratna Category-I CPSE status by the Government of India.NEEPCO operates 5 hydro, 2 thermal and 1 solar power stations with a combined installed capacity of 1186 MW. NEEPCO has 6 power projects under development which include 110 MW Pare HEP, 600 MW Kameng HEP, 101 MW Tripura GBP, 60 MW Tuirial HEP and one 2 MW Solar Project. Tripura's prestigious 101 MW gas based Monarchak Power Plant, 5 MW Solar Power Plant being headed by NEEPCO's dynamic General Manager S.R. Biswas. In an interview with TIWN, Mr Biswas discussed about NEEPCO's initiatives in Tripura.

TIWN : Sir pl tell about yourself, your childhood, education and family

NEEPCO GM: I was born in Assam at the oil township of Digboi. My father was an Engineer in Assam Oil Company and later in Oil India Ltd. I had my schooling in Duliajan and did my degree at REC Silchar, where I studied my Engineering. After becoming an Engineering graduate I initially took up job in private sector and after serving around three years in Private Company I joined NEEPCO, a Govt. of India Enterprise in Power Sector in the year 1987. Since then I have been working in NEEPCO in various capacities. I was posted in Tripura in 2011 and entrusted responsibility for construction of Tripura’s 101MW  Gas Based Power Plant at Monarchak.   

TIWN :  Tell about your daily challenges as the GM of NEEPCO
NEEPCO GM: Yes, as General Manager I had to discharge manifold responsibilities. Being overall in charge of construction of Power Plant is itself challenging as the cost and time line of works are to be strictly adhered to. 
Moreover, in Monarchak there are two Projects : one is a gas based power Plant while the other is solar power plant. The technology in these two plants are quite different and diverse. So we have to maintain a busy schedule in coordinating different types of activities. 

TIWN :  Sir pl tell about your experience in Tripura as the GM of NEEPCO.
NEEPCO GM: The experience that I have gained in Tripura is splendid and worth remembering. I have found the Govt. of Tripura very supportive, the people of Tripura very pro-development with commitment towards development of the State. 

TIWN :  Sir, as the head of NEEPCO Tripura what is your suggestion to develop Industry in state?
NEEPCO GM: Yes, that is a very good point as every place for its development requires industry. But unfortunately, the industrial development in Tripura has not been quite upto mark.  I hope in future Tripura will develop in this field as the connectivity is getting better day by day.

TIWN : Sir kindly tell your viewpoint, on why so much industrial growth difference you saw between other states like Maharastra, Karnataka and the Eastern part of India?
NEEPCO GM: Look there are 2 reasons; may be: one is geographical condition and another is lack of proper connectivity. 
The connectivity of Tripura with other adjoining States has few drawbacks like the road network passes through substantial hilly terrain which poses extra challenges in road network maintenance and relatively long time to commute from one place to other.  The second mode of connectivity which is developing in recent past is through railway. Here again the major railway route being through hilly terrain the movement is relatively slow when compared with other States. The third and easiest communication is airways communication which is relatively costly and unsuitable for movement of goods and products directly influencing trade & commerce and Industrial growth. 

TIWN :  Sir, if you worked outside Tripura, pl share your experience.
NEEPCO GM: I have mostly worked Meghalaya and Assam. As NEEPCO has Projects in almost all States of NE Region I had opportunity to gain experience in some other States as well. Among all of these, my best experience is in Tripura where I have encountered very good support from the Government officers, local people and very conducive general law & order. 

TIWN :  What is Tripura govt.’s plan on electric sub-stations in Tripura?
NEEPCO GM: Actually, I am not directly related to Tripura Govt., but as far as I felt Govt. is pro-active in this regard and the Govt. knows how to utilize funds. 

TIWN :  Is it practically possible to make Tripura a “Load-shedding-free state”?
NEEPCO GM: Yes, it’s possible to make Tripura a load-shedding free state, as power plants have already started generating enough power. There are five gas based power plants in the State. The plants have indeed made Tripura self sufficient in so far as power is concerned. 

TIWN :  Even after NEEPCO, OTPC plants established ..,still Tripura reels under load sheddings..what's your opinion ?

NEEPCO GM: Actually I am not the right person to comment on this as we are not connected with distribution of power. 

TIWN :  What us NEEPCO's future expansion plans in Tripura ?

NEEPCO GM: No, we don’t have much plan at present in Tripura to develop new Projects. It is because of limitation of hydro potential in the State. In so far as gas Projects are concerned we do not see much of opportunities as of now. However, we shall be open for establishment of new Projects or expanding our present capacity in the event more gas is struck in near future and allotted to us. We shall be delighted if we can contribute further to the State in terms of power sector development.  

TIWN :  Why Tripura is lagging economically behind than the rest of India?
NEEPCO GM: The cause in one  word is its geographical condition. But the gap can be diminished by proper connectivity. However, the Government of Tripura is taking many initiative to improve connectivity. 

TIWN :  Sir, last question. What is your overall message for the young generation of Tripura  about their scope & career in Tripura?
NEEPCO GM:  Actually, the “scope” is less in Tripura for the time being, but there is no replacement of “Hard work”, which they must do in their young age. I have seen that many youths of the State are working very hard with all honesty in many Private Companies. This is a very good sign and I believe with such selfless dedication the young generation will emerge very successful in near future. The coming days for young generation will be better. I convey my best wishes to all.