Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath announced on Friday, 9 October 2026, that the state government plans to invest ₹100 crore to restore the Dumboor hydropower plant in Gomati district, targeting a revived generation capacity of 10 to 11 MW of electricity. Restoration work is scheduled to commence in December 2025, according to the Minister.

Key Developments at Dumboor

Nath made the announcement while addressing a one-day Community Awareness Programme on Dam Safety at the Gumti Hydro Electric Project in Tirthamukh, southern Tripura. The event was held under the leadership of the National Dam Safety Authority. The Gumti hydroelectric project was established 56 years ago at the confluence of the Raima and Saima rivers, a site of geographical and historical significance as it is associated with the source of the Gomati river in Tripura.

The plant originally housed three generation units capable of producing 15 MW of power. Output declined progressively over the years, and following the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government assuming office, generation had dropped to just 2 to 3 MW. Severe flooding in 2024 dealt a further blow to the infrastructure, significantly curtailing its power generation capacity.

Survey and Assessment Process

Following the flood damage, a detailed technical survey was commissioned with the involvement of the National Institute of Technology (NIT), IIT Guwahati, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), and the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC). The assessment examined the project's current structural and operational condition to determine the feasibility of restoring generation capacity.

Notably, an underwater robot was brought from Kerala to inspect the condition of the Dumboor Dam and evaluate subsurface damage to its infrastructure — an indication of the technical complexity of the restoration effort.

Dam Safety and Legislative Context

The Minister highlighted that India enacted a Dam Safety Act in 2021 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, covering more than 7,000 dams across the country. He described the legislation as a forward-looking preventive measure rather than a response to any immediate crisis. Regular pre-monsoon and post-monsoon inspections of dams are now mandatory under the law, conducted in coordination with relevant agencies to identify and mitigate structural risks.

'Ensuring the safety of people living downstream is our highest priority,' Nath said, underlining the importance of inter-agency coordination and public awareness to prevent dam-related disasters.

Beyond Power: Livelihoods and Connectivity

Nath also highlighted the broader socio-economic significance of the Dumboor area, noting that its 48 lakes support fish cultivation on which thousands of residents depend for their livelihoods. He described the Gomati project as Tripura's first power generation project and a place of historical importance to the state.

In a related announcement, the Minister said the last state Cabinet meeting approved a plan to extend Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) network coverage and install mobile towers in connectivity-deprived and remote areas of the state. Work on that initiative is also expected to begin soon.

What Comes Next

With restoration work at the Dumboor plant slated to begin in December, Tripura is seeking to reclaim a significant share of its legacy hydropower capacity. The success of the ₹100 crore investment will depend on execution timelines and the durability of refurbished infrastructure against future flood events — a recurring challenge for projects in the region's river systems.