Cuttack: In a significant step towards renewable energy adoption and environmental sustainability, two villages in Cuttack district have become the state’s first fully solar-powered settlements.
The villages of Olab and Kandakela Devabhumi in the Narasinghpur block were officially inaugurated as solar-powered on Thursday, marking a milestone under the Centre’s PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
Baramba MLA Bijaya Kumar Dalabehera led the inauguration ceremony in the presence of Cuttack Collector Dattatreya Bhausaheb Shinde, Athagarh Sub-Collector Prahllad Narayan Sharma, officials from TP Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL), and other officials.
The project, executed by TPCODL, successfully installed rooftop solar panels for approximately 80 households — including 51 in Olaba and 29 in Kandakela Devabhumi — within an impressive timeframe of just 25 days.
This initiative ensures complete independence from conventional grid electricity, providing uninterrupted clean power through renewable solar energy.
These villages are the first in Odisha to achieve full solar electrification, with a focus on below poverty line (BPL) families to promote equitable access to reliable electricity and lower household expenses.
Funding for the installations came from a collaborative model: the Central Government provided a subsidy of Rs 30,000 per system, the state government contributed around Rs 25,000, and the beneficiaries’ share was covered by the district administration using funds from the District Mineral Fund (DMF).
A senior official said, “This initiative is particularly aimed at BPL families to ensure equitable access to reliable electricity and reduce their expenses. The availability of uninterrupted solar power will improve the living standards of the households, enhancing lighting, education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities while raising awareness about renewable energy.”
The PM Surya Ghar Yojana promotes rooftop solar adoption for free or subsidized electricity.
