Dr. Praveer Sinha highlighted Odisha’s success story as a prime example of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model’s potential to transform power distribution companies (discoms) into efficient, profitable, and reliable entities. Under this model, four discoms in Odisha achieved profitability during the COVID-19 crisis without relying on state subsidies, a significant milestone in India’s power distribution sector.
The PPP model led to several improvements, including the replacement of over two million faulty or outdated meters, resulting in improved billing accuracy and increased revenue. Advanced technologies and focused governance addressed rural collection challenges, while services expanded to cater to over 9.5 million customers across urban and rural areas. The partnership with Tata Power under the PPP framework generated over 53,000 jobs, supported 1,700 local contractors, and issued over one million new power connections in just four years.
The transformation in Odisha through PPP demonstrates the potential of public-private collaborations in driving systemic improvements and sustainable growth. The successes achieved through strategic investments, technology integration, and employee involvement serve as a model for other states to follow in improving their power distribution sectors. By leveraging the strengths of both private and public sectors, PPPs can bring about significant benefits, including improved efficiency, increased revenue, and enhanced services for customers. The Odisha story underscores the potential for similar transformations in other areas of infrastructure development, healthcare, and education, should they adopt a similar approach.