Gumti Hydel Project is being lined up for restoration in Tripura after the devastating August 2024 floods damaged key equipment and disrupted generation. The state’s only hydropower station has been non-operational since the disaster, making its revival important for the state’s power system.
The project at Tirthamukh in Gomati district has three 5 MW units, giving it an installed capacity of 15 MW. The flood damage also exposed the ageing plant’s need for extensive renovation.
Gumti Hydel Project faces a major post-flood repair
The August 2024 floods severely affected the plant after heavy rainfall caused widespread damage. A later tariff filing by Tripura Power Generation Limited said floodwaters damaged turbines, machinery and electrical equipment at the Gumti plant.
The filing also recorded that the station had been operating with only two units, while the third was under repair. It said TPGL decided to stop the plant and undertake revamping and renovation from late December 2024 through March 2026.
That planned overhaul reflects the age of the facility. According to the Central Electricity Authority, the first two 5 MW units were commissioned in 1976, while the third was commissioned in 1984. Therefore, modernisation is being considered alongside flood-related repairs.
Gumti Hydel Project gets fresh restoration push
A key recent development came in June 2026, when Tripura Power Generation Limited invited bids to restore an 11 KV line between the 66 KV switchyard at Tirthamukh and the dam. The tender specifically identified the line as having been damaged by floods.
The estimated value of the electrical works was about Rs 33 lakh. Bids were scheduled to close on June 24, with opening on June 25. The tender shows that work around the plant’s electrical infrastructure remains part of the broader restoration process.
Meanwhile, the project’s revival has been under consideration for several years. Minutes of the Forum of Regulators recorded a plan to renovate and modernise the 3×5 MW Gumti hydroelectric plant, with a target of January 2026. The plan included preparation of a detailed project report.
Experts assess the damaged Gumti Hydel Project
The scale of the challenge became clearer after an expert team visited the site in August 2025. The team, led by senior Tripura power officials, included technical experts from NHPC and BHEL.
According to a report on the visit, the experts examined damage caused by the flooding and discussed the feasibility of restoring the station. They indicated that the ageing infrastructure would require a comprehensive overhaul, including new turbines and modern machinery.
The project is also part of the wider Gumti river system, which supports communities and economic activity in the region.
Gumti Hydel Project remains important for Tripura
Despite its modest capacity, the Gumti Hydel Project has a special place in Tripura’s power system. The CEA lists it as the state’s only small hydel power station, with a total installed capacity of 15 MW.
Its contribution has varied over time. A TSECL tariff filing said the plant generated 16.86 million units in 2023-24 before the flood-related shutdown. It also said the plant required strong revamping and renovation after the October 2024 damage.
Reviving the station could restore a domestic renewable generation source while reducing dependence on other forms of power supply. However, the timing of full generation will depend on the technical work and decisions that follow.
A cautious road ahead for Gumti Hydel Project
Tripura’s broader flood recovery is also continuing. In May 2026, the Centre approved Rs 252 crore for recovery and reconstruction after the August 2024 floods, with Rs 75.60 crore released as the first instalment.
For the Gumti facility, the immediate focus is specific: repairing damaged infrastructure and preparing the ageing station for reliable operation. The June electrical restoration tender is one visible step in that process.
Overall, the project’s revival is not simply about restarting three old generating units. It involves repairing flood-damaged systems, modernising ageing equipment and improving the plant’s ability to support Tripura’s power needs. If restoration progresses as intended, the Gumti Hydel Project could regain a useful role in the state’s energy mix after its long post-flood shutdown.
